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• 1411. [Article] Assessing the Impact of Restrictiveness and Placement Type on Transition-Related Outcomes for Youth With and Without Disabilities Aging Out of Foster Care

  Nearly 23,000 youth age out of the foster care system between the ages of 18 and 21 each year in a transition fraught with challenges and barriers. These young people often lack developmentally appropriate ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Assessing the Impact of Restrictiveness and Placement Type on Transition-Related Outcomes for Youth With and Without Disabilities Aging Out of Foster Care Author: Schmidt, Jessica Danielle Year: 2015 Nearly 23,000 youth age out of the foster care system between the ages of 18 and 21 each year in a transition fraught with challenges and barriers. These young people often lack developmentally appropriate experiences and exposure to necessary knowledge, role modeling, skill building, and long-term social support to promote positive transitions to adulthood while in foster care. As a result, young people who exit care face an array of poor adult outcomes. Nearly 60% of transition-aged foster youth experience a disability, and as such, face compounded challenges exiting foster care. While the examination of young adult outcomes for youth with disabilities has been largely missing from the literature, available research documents that young adults with disabilities who had exited foster care were significantly behind their peers without disabilities in several key areas. Literature examining the experiences of transition-aged youth with disabilities in the general population also highlights gaps in young adult outcomes for young people with disabilities compared to their peers. Compounding the issue for youth in foster care, those who experience disabilities often reside in restrictive placement settings such as developmental disability (DD) certified homes, group homes, or residential treatment centers. Though limited, there is some evidence to suggest that these types of placements negatively impact young adult outcomes for those aging out of foster care. The rules and regulations in place to promote safety in these types of placements could further restrict youth from engaging in meaningful transition preparation engagement while in foster care. Therefore, youth with disabilities, whose needs necessitate a higher level of support towards transition preparation engagement, may actually receive fewer opportunities than their peers in non-relative foster care and kinship care as they prepare to exit care into adulthood. The work in this dissertation provides knowledge to address gaps in the literature around transition preparation engagement during foster care for youth with disabilities, youth residing in restrictive foster care placements, and youth who report high levels of perceived restrictiveness as they prepare to enter into adulthood. This dissertation is a secondary analysis of transition preparation engagement data collected at baseline for 294 transition-aged youth in foster care who participated in an evaluation of an intervention to promote self-determination and enhance young adult outcomes, called My Life. Transition preparation engagement in this study was represented by eight domains: youth perceptions of preparedness for adult life, post-secondary education preparation engagement, career preparation engagement, employment, daily life preparation engagement, Independent Living Program (ILP) participation, transition planning engagement, and self-determination. Transition preparation engagement domains were examined using hierarchical multiple regression analysis to explore differences by disability status, placement setting, and youth self-report of perceptions of restrictiveness. In alignment with the literature, 58.8% of youth in this sample experienced a disability. Additional key demographics, including age, gender, and race, and foster care experiences, including length of time in care and placement instability, were entered into the regression models as covariates. Results indicated significantly less transition preparation engagement for 1) youth with disabilities compared to youth without disabilities, 2) youth residing in restrictive placements compared to youth in non-relative foster care and kinship care, and 3) youth who reported higher levels of perceived restrictiveness compared to youth who reported lower levels of perceived restrictiveness. Program, policy, and research recommendations are discussed that highlight the need to promote transition preparation engagement for this particularly vulnerable group of young people in foster care who experience disabilities, are residing in restrictive placement settings and who report high levels of perceived restrictiveness. Title: Assessing the Impact of Restrictiveness and Placement Type on Transition-Related Outcomes for Youth With and Without Disabilities Aging Out of Foster Care Author: Schmidt, Jessica Danielle Year: 2015 Nearly 23,000 youth age out of the foster care system between the ages of 18 and 21 each year in a transition fraught with challenges and barriers. These young people often lack developmentally appropriate experiences and exposure to necessary knowledge, role modeling, skill building, and long-term social support to promote positive transitions to adulthood while in foster care. As a result, young people who exit care face an array of poor adult outcomes. Nearly 60% of transition-aged foster youth experience a disability, and as such, face compounded challenges exiting foster care. While the examination of young adult outcomes for youth with disabilities has been largely missing from the literature, available research documents that young adults with disabilities who had exited foster care were significantly behind their peers without disabilities in several key areas. Literature examining the experiences of transition-aged youth with disabilities in the general population also highlights gaps in young adult outcomes for young people with disabilities compared to their peers. Compounding the issue for youth in foster care, those who experience disabilities often reside in restrictive placement settings such as developmental disability (DD) certified homes, group homes, or residential treatment centers. Though limited, there is some evidence to suggest that these types of placements negatively impact young adult outcomes for those aging out of foster care. The rules and regulations in place to promote safety in these types of placements could further restrict youth from engaging in meaningful transition preparation engagement while in foster care. Therefore, youth with disabilities, whose needs necessitate a higher level of support towards transition preparation engagement, may actually receive fewer opportunities than their peers in non-relative foster care and kinship care as they prepare to exit care into adulthood. The work in this dissertation provides knowledge to address gaps in the literature around transition preparation engagement during foster care for youth with disabilities, youth residing in restrictive foster care placements, and youth who report high levels of perceived restrictiveness as they prepare to enter into adulthood. This dissertation is a secondary analysis of transition preparation engagement data collected at baseline for 294 transition-aged youth in foster care who participated in an evaluation of an intervention to promote self-determination and enhance young adult outcomes, called My Life. Transition preparation engagement in this study was represented by eight domains: youth perceptions of preparedness for adult life, post-secondary education preparation engagement, career preparation engagement, employment, daily life preparation engagement, Independent Living Program (ILP) participation, transition planning engagement, and self-determination. Transition preparation engagement domains were examined using hierarchical multiple regression analysis to explore differences by disability status, placement setting, and youth self-report of perceptions of restrictiveness. In alignment with the literature, 58.8% of youth in this sample experienced a disability. Additional key demographics, including age, gender, and race, and foster care experiences, including length of time in care and placement instability, were entered into the regression models as covariates. Results indicated significantly less transition preparation engagement for 1) youth with disabilities compared to youth without disabilities, 2) youth residing in restrictive placements compared to youth in non-relative foster care and kinship care, and 3) youth who reported higher levels of perceived restrictiveness compared to youth who reported lower levels of perceived restrictiveness. Program, policy, and research recommendations are discussed that highlight the need to promote transition preparation engagement for this particularly vulnerable group of young people in foster care who experience disabilities, are residing in restrictive placement settings and who report high levels of perceived restrictiveness. Close

• 1412. [Article] Consideraciones para la transformación del sistema de salud del Ecuador desde una perspectiva de equidad

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and can be found at: http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_serial&pid=0124-0064&...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Consideraciones para la transformación del sistema de salud del Ecuador desde una perspectiva de equidad Author: Chi, Chunhuei, Ortega, Fernando, López-Cevallos, Daniel This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and can be found at: http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_serial&pid=0124-0064&lng=en&nrm=iso. Title: Consideraciones para la transformación del sistema de salud del Ecuador desde una perspectiva de equidad Author: Chi, Chunhuei, Ortega, Fernando, López-Cevallos, Daniel This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and can be found at: http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_serial&pid=0124-0064&lng=en&nrm=iso. Close

• 1413. [Article] Homestead Neighborhood and the Oregon Health Sciences University Background and Recommendations Report

  The Homestead Neighborhood is located in southwest Portland. It was first studied as part of the Marquam Hill Plan in 1977. Since that time two major health providers, the Shriners and the Veterans Administration,have ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Homestead Neighborhood and the Oregon Health Sciences University Background and Recommendations Report Author: Bizeau, Thomas, Crawford, Jim, Delacy, Barton, Massoudifar, Yousef, McConnell, Tom, Rahman, Foziah, Rassoli, Ezzat, Sochacka, Barbara Year: 1988 The Homestead Neighborhood is located in southwest Portland. It was first studied as part of the Marquam Hill Plan in 1977. Since that time two major health providers, the Shriners and the Veterans Administration,have built new facilities on the hill. The Oregon Health Sciences University is now poised and ready for major expansion of its medical schools, hospital and research facilities. Meanwhile, area residents and property owners, have voiced concerns about increased traffic, and building density. Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) contracted with the School of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University to draft a comprehensive neighborhood plan, to supplement its own long rang planning on Marquam Hill. Graduate students in the Masters in Urban Planning (MUP) program, under the direction of Michael S. Harrison AICP, Chief Planner for the City of Portland, prepared this plan over a ten week time period. This plan will also be presented to the Homestead Neighborhood Association to provide a basis for further studies. The recommendations presented in the following section, are solely those of the students in the USP 528 Comprehensive Planning Workshop. As presented here, they represent many rounds of in-class discussion, fieldwork and input from residents.The Advisory Committee contributed review and advice. The document makes reference to several sites. The "medical complex" is considered the Oregon Health Sciences University, the Shriners Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital. The "campus" refers to the same area as the medical complex. The "Homestead Plat" refers to the residential and commercial area just west of the campus up to SW 14thStreet. The Homestead neighborhood is a political jurisdiction recognized by the City of Portland which surrounds the areas platted as Homestead on Marquam Hill, but also embraces parts of Portland Heights and the Hillsdale area. Marquam Hill is a geographical term which relates to a much wider area than just the Homestead neighborhood. The background section covers the history, characteristics and patterns of land use in the Homestead Neighborhood. It provides a factual basis for determining alternatives,making recommendations and establishing policy. It also may be used as a general reference.The background is organized into seven sections: historical perspective; sumary of planning activities; overview of transportation patterns; analysis of development and infrastructure; discussions of amenities and topography; and an overview of demographics. A comprehensive property inventory detailing individual parcel ownership and physical characteristics has also been compiled and included as an addenda to this report. The fourth section of the report describes and analyzes the planning methodology used to research this project. Property data was collected and tabulated using Multnomah County records which were then checked and enhanced through field observation. Citizen participation was fostered by impanelling an advisory committee consisting of neighborhood representatives of the neighborhood, medical complex and the City Park Bureau, conducting a workshop with the neighborhood and distributing surveys to all residences. The findings of the class are presented in the final section of this report. The findings and recommendations contained in this report are solely those of the class and do not necessarily represent the policies of the City of Portland, Portland State University, Oregon Health Sciences University or the Homestead Neighborhood Association. The report will hopefully foster communication between the Homestead Neighborhood Association, the medical complex and the City of Portland. This is not intended as a final plan but rather as a starting point for further discussion. The next step in this planning process is for the Neighborhood and University to continue a dialog to formulate the goals and objectives of a neighborhood plan. A series of public discussions would follow to determine the contents of the final document. The final step would be to get the plan ratified by the Portland City Council. Title: Homestead Neighborhood and the Oregon Health Sciences University Background and Recommendations Report Author: Bizeau, Thomas, Crawford, Jim, Delacy, Barton, Massoudifar, Yousef, McConnell, Tom, Rahman, Foziah, Rassoli, Ezzat, Sochacka, Barbara Year: 1988 The Homestead Neighborhood is located in southwest Portland. It was first studied as part of the Marquam Hill Plan in 1977. Since that time two major health providers, the Shriners and the Veterans Administration,have built new facilities on the hill. The Oregon Health Sciences University is now poised and ready for major expansion of its medical schools, hospital and research facilities. Meanwhile, area residents and property owners, have voiced concerns about increased traffic, and building density. Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) contracted with the School of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University to draft a comprehensive neighborhood plan, to supplement its own long rang planning on Marquam Hill. Graduate students in the Masters in Urban Planning (MUP) program, under the direction of Michael S. Harrison AICP, Chief Planner for the City of Portland, prepared this plan over a ten week time period. This plan will also be presented to the Homestead Neighborhood Association to provide a basis for further studies. The recommendations presented in the following section, are solely those of the students in the USP 528 Comprehensive Planning Workshop. As presented here, they represent many rounds of in-class discussion, fieldwork and input from residents.The Advisory Committee contributed review and advice. The document makes reference to several sites. The "medical complex" is considered the Oregon Health Sciences University, the Shriners Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital. The "campus" refers to the same area as the medical complex. The "Homestead Plat" refers to the residential and commercial area just west of the campus up to SW 14thStreet. The Homestead neighborhood is a political jurisdiction recognized by the City of Portland which surrounds the areas platted as Homestead on Marquam Hill, but also embraces parts of Portland Heights and the Hillsdale area. Marquam Hill is a geographical term which relates to a much wider area than just the Homestead neighborhood. The background section covers the history, characteristics and patterns of land use in the Homestead Neighborhood. It provides a factual basis for determining alternatives,making recommendations and establishing policy. It also may be used as a general reference.The background is organized into seven sections: historical perspective; sumary of planning activities; overview of transportation patterns; analysis of development and infrastructure; discussions of amenities and topography; and an overview of demographics. A comprehensive property inventory detailing individual parcel ownership and physical characteristics has also been compiled and included as an addenda to this report. The fourth section of the report describes and analyzes the planning methodology used to research this project. Property data was collected and tabulated using Multnomah County records which were then checked and enhanced through field observation. Citizen participation was fostered by impanelling an advisory committee consisting of neighborhood representatives of the neighborhood, medical complex and the City Park Bureau, conducting a workshop with the neighborhood and distributing surveys to all residences. The findings of the class are presented in the final section of this report. The findings and recommendations contained in this report are solely those of the class and do not necessarily represent the policies of the City of Portland, Portland State University, Oregon Health Sciences University or the Homestead Neighborhood Association. The report will hopefully foster communication between the Homestead Neighborhood Association, the medical complex and the City of Portland. This is not intended as a final plan but rather as a starting point for further discussion. The next step in this planning process is for the Neighborhood and University to continue a dialog to formulate the goals and objectives of a neighborhood plan. A series of public discussions would follow to determine the contents of the final document. The final step would be to get the plan ratified by the Portland City Council. Close

• 1414. [Article] Breaking Barriers to Bike Share: Insights from Residents of Traditionally Underserved Neighborhoods

  Evidence has shown that higher income and white populations are overrepresented in both access to and use of bike share. Efforts to overcome underserved communities’ barriers to access and use of bike ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Breaking Barriers to Bike Share: Insights from Residents of Traditionally Underserved Neighborhoods Author: McNeil, Nathan, Dill, Jennifer, MacArthur, John, Broach, Joseph, Howland, Steven Year: 2017 Evidence has shown that higher income and white populations are overrepresented in both access to and use of bike share. Efforts to overcome underserved communities’ barriers to access and use of bike share have been initiated in a number of cities, including those working with the Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP) to launch and test potentially replicable approaches to improve the equity outcomes. This report describes findings from a survey of residents living near bike share stations placed in underserved communities of select BBSP cities: Philadelphia, Chicago, and Brooklyn. These were neighborhoods targeted for focused outreach related to BBSP programs, and were majority-minority (79- 94% people of color) and lower-income (36-61% of households under 150% of the poverty level). Residents were also surveyed in control areas that did not receive BBSP targeted outreach in two of the cities. The research team mailed surveys to 6,000 residents in each city, and received 1,885 responses. Respondents closely matched area demographics on race/ethnicity and income in most study locations, but were somewhat more likely to be women, older and more highly educated. Findings are drawn primarily from an analysis of data from adults in the BBSP outreach areas under 65 years old and physically able to ride a bicycle. Of those respondents who provided race and income information (n=779), 42% were lower-income (defined as 300% of poverty or below) people of color, 27% were higher-income (above 300% of poverty) people of color, 6% were lower-income and white (not Hispanic), and 25% were higher-income and white. Race and income often influenced responses to bicycling and bike share in different ways. Differences in behavior and opinions sometimes correlated with income, sometimes with race, and sometimes with race and income combined. Both people of color and lower-income residents cited more barriers to bicycling generally and to using bike share than did higher-income white residents. The biggest barrier to bicycling generally is concern about traffic safety, regardless of race or income (cited as a big barrier by 48% of residents). For some, personal safety is also a concern. For example, 22% of lower-income people of color stated that a big barrier to riding was that doing so could cause them to be harassed or a victim of crime. Some of the most common barriers to bicycling cited by lower-income people of color were issues that bike share could address, such as: not having a bike or related gear (47%); not having a safe place to leave a bike where they need to go (36%); the expense of buying a bike or related gear (41%); and not having a safe place to store a bike at home (32%). High costs of membership and concerns about liability for the bicycle were big barriers to using bike share for about half of lower-income respondents (48% and 52% respectively), compared to 33% and 31% of higher-income respondents of color and only 18% and 10% of higherincome white respondents. Another set of barriers relates to knowledge, lack of knowledge or incorrect knowledge. Only 31% of all respondents knew the details about the availability of the reduced-price membership or pass option, and 34% of lower-income respondents of color said that not knowing enough about how to use bike share was a big barrier to using it, compared to 19% of higher-income respondents of color and 7% of higher-income white residents. Among potential program changes, lower-income people of color were significantly more likely than other respondents to indicate that certain changes would make them more likely to use bike share, including: several changes that could help with cost and liability concerns such as discounted membership or use options (80% stating somewhat or much more likely to use bike share with this change), access to free or low-cost helmets/gear (72%), and easier ways to pay with cash (67%); and several changes to help overcome knowledge or experience gaps, such as help finding safe ways to get where I need to go (70%), and organized rides for people like me (71%). Respondents generally have positive attitudes about bicycling and bike share. A large majority of all residents (73%) and lower-income people of color (74%) agreed that the city’s bike share system “is useful for people like me.” In terms of reasons for using bike share, getting exercise was cited by 71% of the lower-income respondents of color as a reason they would consider using bike share, a rate much higher than other respondent groups. Being able to ride with friends and family was cited by 48% of lower-income respondents of color, again higher than other groups. Title: Breaking Barriers to Bike Share: Insights from Residents of Traditionally Underserved Neighborhoods Author: McNeil, Nathan, Dill, Jennifer, MacArthur, John, Broach, Joseph, Howland, Steven Year: 2017 Evidence has shown that higher income and white populations are overrepresented in both access to and use of bike share. Efforts to overcome underserved communities’ barriers to access and use of bike share have been initiated in a number of cities, including those working with the Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP) to launch and test potentially replicable approaches to improve the equity outcomes. This report describes findings from a survey of residents living near bike share stations placed in underserved communities of select BBSP cities: Philadelphia, Chicago, and Brooklyn. These were neighborhoods targeted for focused outreach related to BBSP programs, and were majority-minority (79- 94% people of color) and lower-income (36-61% of households under 150% of the poverty level). Residents were also surveyed in control areas that did not receive BBSP targeted outreach in two of the cities. The research team mailed surveys to 6,000 residents in each city, and received 1,885 responses. Respondents closely matched area demographics on race/ethnicity and income in most study locations, but were somewhat more likely to be women, older and more highly educated. Findings are drawn primarily from an analysis of data from adults in the BBSP outreach areas under 65 years old and physically able to ride a bicycle. Of those respondents who provided race and income information (n=779), 42% were lower-income (defined as 300% of poverty or below) people of color, 27% were higher-income (above 300% of poverty) people of color, 6% were lower-income and white (not Hispanic), and 25% were higher-income and white. Race and income often influenced responses to bicycling and bike share in different ways. Differences in behavior and opinions sometimes correlated with income, sometimes with race, and sometimes with race and income combined. Both people of color and lower-income residents cited more barriers to bicycling generally and to using bike share than did higher-income white residents. The biggest barrier to bicycling generally is concern about traffic safety, regardless of race or income (cited as a big barrier by 48% of residents). For some, personal safety is also a concern. For example, 22% of lower-income people of color stated that a big barrier to riding was that doing so could cause them to be harassed or a victim of crime. Some of the most common barriers to bicycling cited by lower-income people of color were issues that bike share could address, such as: not having a bike or related gear (47%); not having a safe place to leave a bike where they need to go (36%); the expense of buying a bike or related gear (41%); and not having a safe place to store a bike at home (32%). High costs of membership and concerns about liability for the bicycle were big barriers to using bike share for about half of lower-income respondents (48% and 52% respectively), compared to 33% and 31% of higher-income respondents of color and only 18% and 10% of higherincome white respondents. Another set of barriers relates to knowledge, lack of knowledge or incorrect knowledge. Only 31% of all respondents knew the details about the availability of the reduced-price membership or pass option, and 34% of lower-income respondents of color said that not knowing enough about how to use bike share was a big barrier to using it, compared to 19% of higher-income respondents of color and 7% of higher-income white residents. Among potential program changes, lower-income people of color were significantly more likely than other respondents to indicate that certain changes would make them more likely to use bike share, including: several changes that could help with cost and liability concerns such as discounted membership or use options (80% stating somewhat or much more likely to use bike share with this change), access to free or low-cost helmets/gear (72%), and easier ways to pay with cash (67%); and several changes to help overcome knowledge or experience gaps, such as help finding safe ways to get where I need to go (70%), and organized rides for people like me (71%). Respondents generally have positive attitudes about bicycling and bike share. A large majority of all residents (73%) and lower-income people of color (74%) agreed that the city’s bike share system “is useful for people like me.” In terms of reasons for using bike share, getting exercise was cited by 71% of the lower-income respondents of color as a reason they would consider using bike share, a rate much higher than other respondent groups. Being able to ride with friends and family was cited by 48% of lower-income respondents of color, again higher than other groups. Close

• 1415. [Article] Consumers' shopping value and their responses to visual merchandise displays in an in-store retail setting

  The purposes of this study were to investigate consumers' responses (aesthetic response, approach response, and perceived risk) to two types of visual merchandise displays (full size mannequin and flat ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Consumers' shopping value and their responses to visual merchandise displays in an in-store retail setting Author: Fister, Sarah E. The purposes of this study were to investigate consumers' responses (aesthetic response, approach response, and perceived risk) to two types of visual merchandise displays (full size mannequin and flat hanging display) in an in-store retail setting. An interest for this study arises from retailers' constant effort to differentiate themselves from other retailers and increase retention through in-store entertainment or "shopper-tainment". Kotler (1973/74, p.50) defined atmospherics as "the conscious designing of space to create specific effects in buyers to enhance purchase likelihood". An aspect of effective atmospherics is known as visual merchandising – "how merchandise is visually communicated to the customer" by the retailer (Kerfoot et al., 2003, p. 143). Many retailers have specific visual merchandisers who strive to create the most attractive and beneficial type of window and in-store displays to attract customers and give information about products. In-store displays also provide customers with a mental image of how merchandise can be used or combined. A model, based on the S-O-R model (introduced by Mehrabian and Russell in 1974), was proposed that a stimulus, in this case display type (flat hanging display, full size mannequin) can influence a behavioral response in a consumer, in this case approach response and perceived risk, which is mediated by that consumer's affective or cognitive response, which in this is case is aesthetic response. An additional component added to the traditional S-O-R model was shopping value as a moderator. Shopping value refers to a customer's orientation or goal while shopping, measured by hedonic score. To test the proposed model, a convenience sample of 76 males and 76 females was employed. The independent variable for this study was display type (full size mannequin or flat hanging display) for each gender, which was performed twice due to stimulus sampling procedure. The moderator was shopping value; the dependent variables were aesthetic response, approach response and perceived risk. Cronbach's alpha was used to test internal consistency of each measure. An ANOVA was used to compare participants' responses between the two experimental days; i.e., test to see if the styles of clothing in the displays affected the responses. A MANOVA analysis was used to examine relationships between the independent variable (display type) and dependent variables (aesthetic response, approach response and perceived risk). A second MANOVA was run to test the moderating relationship of shopping value (hedonic) on dependent variables (aesthetic response, approach response, perceived risk) caused by display type. Pearson's Correlation was utilized to examine the correlation relationships between the dependent variables (aesthetic response, approach response and perceived risk). A post hoc ANOVA analysis was run between gender and shopping value to examine gender differences in hedonic shopping value scores. Lastly, an exploratory analysis was conducted to provide the reader with ideas for future research in identifying specific demographic characteristics and their relationship to consumers' utilitarian shopping value. The results of this study support the significance of visual merchandising in a retail environment. The results demonstrate that all individuals (regardless of their gender or shopping value) had a higher aesthetic response (which led to an increased approach response and decreased perceived risk) to the clothing displayed in a full size mannequin display than to the flat hanging display. Unexpectedly, male respondents had a preference for the full size mannequin as did female respondents. Expectedly, females had a higher score for hedonic shopping value than males did in this study. Hedonic shopping value did not play a role as a moderator, whereas all respondents had a higher aesthetic response leading to an increased approach response and decreased perceived risk associated with the full size mannequin. This study offers further support for the S-O-R model introduced by Mehrabian and Russell (1974). The results of this study support the significance of visual merchandising by in a retail environment. This study suggests that a customer's mental imagery processing through viewing a retailers visual display can raise aesthetic response and therefore encourage approach response and reduce perceived risk associated with the products displayed. This study suggests that all consumers (regardless of gender or shopping value) prefer exciting, realistic and aesthetically pleasing visual displays, but require a full size mannequin display to raise their aesthetic response, approach response and reduce perceived risk associated with the items displayed. The limitations of this study include the use of convenience sampling which means the results of this study cannot be generalized beyond the product category (college licensed merchandise) and sample. Title: Consumers' shopping value and their responses to visual merchandise displays in an in-store retail setting Author: Fister, Sarah E. The purposes of this study were to investigate consumers' responses (aesthetic response, approach response, and perceived risk) to two types of visual merchandise displays (full size mannequin and flat hanging display) in an in-store retail setting. An interest for this study arises from retailers' constant effort to differentiate themselves from other retailers and increase retention through in-store entertainment or "shopper-tainment". Kotler (1973/74, p.50) defined atmospherics as "the conscious designing of space to create specific effects in buyers to enhance purchase likelihood". An aspect of effective atmospherics is known as visual merchandising – "how merchandise is visually communicated to the customer" by the retailer (Kerfoot et al., 2003, p. 143). Many retailers have specific visual merchandisers who strive to create the most attractive and beneficial type of window and in-store displays to attract customers and give information about products. In-store displays also provide customers with a mental image of how merchandise can be used or combined. A model, based on the S-O-R model (introduced by Mehrabian and Russell in 1974), was proposed that a stimulus, in this case display type (flat hanging display, full size mannequin) can influence a behavioral response in a consumer, in this case approach response and perceived risk, which is mediated by that consumer's affective or cognitive response, which in this is case is aesthetic response. An additional component added to the traditional S-O-R model was shopping value as a moderator. Shopping value refers to a customer's orientation or goal while shopping, measured by hedonic score. To test the proposed model, a convenience sample of 76 males and 76 females was employed. The independent variable for this study was display type (full size mannequin or flat hanging display) for each gender, which was performed twice due to stimulus sampling procedure. The moderator was shopping value; the dependent variables were aesthetic response, approach response and perceived risk. Cronbach's alpha was used to test internal consistency of each measure. An ANOVA was used to compare participants' responses between the two experimental days; i.e., test to see if the styles of clothing in the displays affected the responses. A MANOVA analysis was used to examine relationships between the independent variable (display type) and dependent variables (aesthetic response, approach response and perceived risk). A second MANOVA was run to test the moderating relationship of shopping value (hedonic) on dependent variables (aesthetic response, approach response, perceived risk) caused by display type. Pearson's Correlation was utilized to examine the correlation relationships between the dependent variables (aesthetic response, approach response and perceived risk). A post hoc ANOVA analysis was run between gender and shopping value to examine gender differences in hedonic shopping value scores. Lastly, an exploratory analysis was conducted to provide the reader with ideas for future research in identifying specific demographic characteristics and their relationship to consumers' utilitarian shopping value. The results of this study support the significance of visual merchandising in a retail environment. The results demonstrate that all individuals (regardless of their gender or shopping value) had a higher aesthetic response (which led to an increased approach response and decreased perceived risk) to the clothing displayed in a full size mannequin display than to the flat hanging display. Unexpectedly, male respondents had a preference for the full size mannequin as did female respondents. Expectedly, females had a higher score for hedonic shopping value than males did in this study. Hedonic shopping value did not play a role as a moderator, whereas all respondents had a higher aesthetic response leading to an increased approach response and decreased perceived risk associated with the full size mannequin. This study offers further support for the S-O-R model introduced by Mehrabian and Russell (1974). The results of this study support the significance of visual merchandising by in a retail environment. This study suggests that a customer's mental imagery processing through viewing a retailers visual display can raise aesthetic response and therefore encourage approach response and reduce perceived risk associated with the products displayed. This study suggests that all consumers (regardless of gender or shopping value) prefer exciting, realistic and aesthetically pleasing visual displays, but require a full size mannequin display to raise their aesthetic response, approach response and reduce perceived risk associated with the items displayed. The limitations of this study include the use of convenience sampling which means the results of this study cannot be generalized beyond the product category (college licensed merchandise) and sample. Close

• 1416. [Article] A whale's tale of mtDNA diversity and differentiation : the Antarctic blue whale

  Twentieth century commercial whaling drastically reduced the abundance of great whale populations in the Southern Ocean. Exploitation began on the south Atlantic island of South Georgia, where catch records ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A whale's tale of mtDNA diversity and differentiation : the Antarctic blue whale Author: Sremba, Angie Twentieth century commercial whaling drastically reduced the abundance of great whale populations in the Southern Ocean. Exploitation began on the south Atlantic island of South Georgia, where catch records account for over 175,000 whales killed. Modern whaling within the Southern Ocean depleted populations rapidly, and by 1966, hunting blue whales south of 40°S was prohibited by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). After 40 years of protection, this species has shown little recovery. A current abundance estimate of 2,280 (CV=0.036) individuals from sighting data (1991/92-2003/04) represents less than 1% the original abundance. With such an intensive demographic 'bottleneck,' it is likely that genetic diversity has been lost from some or all components of the Southern Ocean population. Here I describe historical and contemporary Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity and report the first circumpolar analyses of contemporary population structure. In Chapter 2, historical mtDNA diversity is described from whale bones collected from the first Southern Hemisphere whaling stations established in 1904 on the island of South Georgia. A total of 281 whale bones were representative of three prominent species hunted in South Georgian waters. Using ancient DNA methods and sequencing of the mtDNA control region, bone samples were first identified to species, identifying 153 humpback, 49 fin, 18 blue, 2 sei, 1 southern right whale and 1 elephant seal. Within each of the three prominent historic species populations, mtDNA haplotypes were described resulting in 64 humpback, 34 fin, and 16 blue whale haplotypes. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity within each of the three historic species populations ranged from 0.980-0.987 and 1.87-3.16%, respectively. In chapter 3, I update the previous estimate of contemporary Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity with biopsy samples of living whales collected during research cruises conducted with IWC oversight from 1990-2009 (n=218) for comparison to historical blue whale mtDNA diversity. After the removal of replicate samples based on 15 microsatellite loci, the dataset described 167 individuals. This dataset was combined with additional published Antarctic blue whale mtDNA control region sequences (LeDuc et al. 2007; n=20) to represent the most comprehensive dataset available for Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity (n=187). A high haplotype diversity was described within this contemoporary population (0.968). With this dataset, I report the first evidence of population structure within the IWC Southern Ocean management Areas I-VI through an analysis of genetic differentiation. The identification of recaptures within the dataset through microsatellite genotyping, allows for the first inference of movement of six individuals with the Southern Ocean since the end of the Discovery marking program 50 years ago. In the final chapter of this thesis, I explore the impact of the 20th century commercial whaling industry on the Antarctic blue whale population through a comparison of historical and contemporary Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity. The comparison showed that only 6 of the 16 haplotypes from the South Georgian population were found in contemporary worldwide blue whale populations, indicating a potential loss of mtDNA lineages. The loss of mtDNA haplotypes sugges two hypotheses; either a low predicted loss of widespread Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity or the loss of a South Georgia local Antarctic blue whale population driven to commercial extinction. The impact of commercial whaling is also assessed through a prediction of the minimum number of maternal lineages, or haplotypes, to have survived the exploitation bottleneck. The number of 51 mtDNA haplotypes identified within the contemporary Antarctic blue whale population is used to update the estimate of haplotypes within the unsampled contemporary population. We predict 69 mtDNA lineages within the contemporary population from the current abundance estimate of 2,280 (1,160-4,500) individuals (Branch 2008). This prediction will increase the lower bound of population abundance used in population dynamic modeling and may reduce an upward bias in population increase estimates used to assess the recovery of this species. Title: A whale's tale of mtDNA diversity and differentiation : the Antarctic blue whale Author: Sremba, Angie Twentieth century commercial whaling drastically reduced the abundance of great whale populations in the Southern Ocean. Exploitation began on the south Atlantic island of South Georgia, where catch records account for over 175,000 whales killed. Modern whaling within the Southern Ocean depleted populations rapidly, and by 1966, hunting blue whales south of 40°S was prohibited by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). After 40 years of protection, this species has shown little recovery. A current abundance estimate of 2,280 (CV=0.036) individuals from sighting data (1991/92-2003/04) represents less than 1% the original abundance. With such an intensive demographic 'bottleneck,' it is likely that genetic diversity has been lost from some or all components of the Southern Ocean population. Here I describe historical and contemporary Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity and report the first circumpolar analyses of contemporary population structure. In Chapter 2, historical mtDNA diversity is described from whale bones collected from the first Southern Hemisphere whaling stations established in 1904 on the island of South Georgia. A total of 281 whale bones were representative of three prominent species hunted in South Georgian waters. Using ancient DNA methods and sequencing of the mtDNA control region, bone samples were first identified to species, identifying 153 humpback, 49 fin, 18 blue, 2 sei, 1 southern right whale and 1 elephant seal. Within each of the three prominent historic species populations, mtDNA haplotypes were described resulting in 64 humpback, 34 fin, and 16 blue whale haplotypes. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity within each of the three historic species populations ranged from 0.980-0.987 and 1.87-3.16%, respectively. In chapter 3, I update the previous estimate of contemporary Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity with biopsy samples of living whales collected during research cruises conducted with IWC oversight from 1990-2009 (n=218) for comparison to historical blue whale mtDNA diversity. After the removal of replicate samples based on 15 microsatellite loci, the dataset described 167 individuals. This dataset was combined with additional published Antarctic blue whale mtDNA control region sequences (LeDuc et al. 2007; n=20) to represent the most comprehensive dataset available for Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity (n=187). A high haplotype diversity was described within this contemoporary population (0.968). With this dataset, I report the first evidence of population structure within the IWC Southern Ocean management Areas I-VI through an analysis of genetic differentiation. The identification of recaptures within the dataset through microsatellite genotyping, allows for the first inference of movement of six individuals with the Southern Ocean since the end of the Discovery marking program 50 years ago. In the final chapter of this thesis, I explore the impact of the 20th century commercial whaling industry on the Antarctic blue whale population through a comparison of historical and contemporary Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity. The comparison showed that only 6 of the 16 haplotypes from the South Georgian population were found in contemporary worldwide blue whale populations, indicating a potential loss of mtDNA lineages. The loss of mtDNA haplotypes sugges two hypotheses; either a low predicted loss of widespread Antarctic blue whale mtDNA diversity or the loss of a South Georgia local Antarctic blue whale population driven to commercial extinction. The impact of commercial whaling is also assessed through a prediction of the minimum number of maternal lineages, or haplotypes, to have survived the exploitation bottleneck. The number of 51 mtDNA haplotypes identified within the contemporary Antarctic blue whale population is used to update the estimate of haplotypes within the unsampled contemporary population. We predict 69 mtDNA lineages within the contemporary population from the current abundance estimate of 2,280 (1,160-4,500) individuals (Branch 2008). This prediction will increase the lower bound of population abundance used in population dynamic modeling and may reduce an upward bias in population increase estimates used to assess the recovery of this species. Close

• 1417. [Article] Population demography, resource use, and movement in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers

  Island systems and species are susceptible to extinction because of their small population size and an ecological naiveté from an evolutionary past lacking strong competition and predation. For example, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Population demography, resource use, and movement in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers Author: Kesler, Dylan C. Island systems and species are susceptible to extinction because of their small population size and an ecological naiveté from an evolutionary past lacking strong competition and predation. For example, only one-fifth of the world’s bird species occur on islands, yet more than 90% of the avian extinctions witnessed during historic times were island forms. Introduced predators and competitor species are among the major conservation issues facing insular systems. On the island of Guam, brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) are responsible for the local extinction of twelve native forest birds. The endangered Guam Micronesian Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus cinnamominus) is one of the species affected by the introduced snake, as the bird remains only in captive breeding institutions on the U.S. mainland. In addition to Guam, the islands of Pohnpei and Palau host endemic subspecies of Micronesian Kingfisher (T. c. reichenbachii and T. c. pelewensis respectively) that are similarly threatened with extinction. Previous investigations into the behavioral ecology of the Pohnpei subspecies of Micronesian Kingfisher yielded observations of cooperative social behaviors. Over the past three decades, much research has focused on cooperatively breeding species, which are commonly characterized by non-breeding individuals that delay dispersal and assist others with reproduction. Research addressing cooperative breeding suggests that the behavior is a complex response to interacting factors including life history characteristics, demography, resources, movement, and behavior. The dearth of information available about critically endangered Micronesian Kingfishers, combined with their potential to provide new insights into cooperative social behaviors, inspired the research presented in this dissertation. The aims were two-fold; results were intended to bolster our understanding of cooperative social behaviors while simultaneously providing vital information to conservation practitioners. Methodology for determining the sex of study individuals is presented in chapter two, which facilitated investigations that followed. Chapter three addressed the interaction between kingfishers and resources at both the landscape and home range scale. Higher population densities are associated with lowland mangrove, marsh forested habitats, and open vegetation types at the landscape scale. Results further indicated that at the home range scale, birds selectively used late succession forested habitats in higher proportions than their availability, and forest areas were entirely utilized in study areas where territories were packed boundary-to-boundary. Together these suggested that forested areas and the resources they contain might be limited for Micronesian Kingfishers. Movement and space use in Micronesian Kingfishers were the focus of chapter four. Within territories, the home ranges of birds overlapped, although not entirely. Birds of all ages and social classes made extraterritorial prospecting movements, but they appear to serve different functions. Juveniles and helpers were observed dispersing from natal areas, but only after repeated extraterritorial homesteading movements. The timing and destinations of adult prospecting suggested that the behavior might provide opportunities for covert reproduction. Population demography was addressed in chapters five and six, which concluded with the development of a population projection model that will be useful in kingfisher conservation efforts throughout the Pacific. Nestlings on cooperative territories had higher estimated survival rates than those on pair territories. Further, the timing of nestling disappearances and a modified nestling mandible suggested that mortalities were caused by siblicidal nest-mates. In chapter six, post-fledging vital rates were estimated for Micronesian Kingfishers and a population projection matrix model was developed. Vital rate parameters were then varied, and the model was used in a simulation analysis to evaluate the apparent influence of each parameter on population dynamics across a range of potential values. The exercise was intended to lend insight into the dynamics of Micronesian Kingfisher populations and to form a base model for management of the other eleven endangered Pacific Todiramphus species. In summary, information presented in this dissertation lends insight into factors important to understanding population demography, resource use, and movement in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers. Results illustrate that, like other cooperatively breeding species, the birds on Pohnpei are highly territorial and dispersal options may be limited by territory vacancies and forest resources. Extraterritorial prospecting movements have been observed in many cooperative species, and these results illustrate that they may serve multiple purposes. Siblicide is also a phenomenon present in resource-limited species and its occurrence in Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers underscores the importance of resources to the evolutionary history of the birds. Results from demographic analyses and modeling suggest that conservation efforts for Micronesian Kingfishers, and the other eleven Todiramphus species, should be broadly focused on all life history stages. Title: Population demography, resource use, and movement in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers Author: Kesler, Dylan C. Island systems and species are susceptible to extinction because of their small population size and an ecological naiveté from an evolutionary past lacking strong competition and predation. For example, only one-fifth of the world’s bird species occur on islands, yet more than 90% of the avian extinctions witnessed during historic times were island forms. Introduced predators and competitor species are among the major conservation issues facing insular systems. On the island of Guam, brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) are responsible for the local extinction of twelve native forest birds. The endangered Guam Micronesian Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus cinnamominus) is one of the species affected by the introduced snake, as the bird remains only in captive breeding institutions on the U.S. mainland. In addition to Guam, the islands of Pohnpei and Palau host endemic subspecies of Micronesian Kingfisher (T. c. reichenbachii and T. c. pelewensis respectively) that are similarly threatened with extinction. Previous investigations into the behavioral ecology of the Pohnpei subspecies of Micronesian Kingfisher yielded observations of cooperative social behaviors. Over the past three decades, much research has focused on cooperatively breeding species, which are commonly characterized by non-breeding individuals that delay dispersal and assist others with reproduction. Research addressing cooperative breeding suggests that the behavior is a complex response to interacting factors including life history characteristics, demography, resources, movement, and behavior. The dearth of information available about critically endangered Micronesian Kingfishers, combined with their potential to provide new insights into cooperative social behaviors, inspired the research presented in this dissertation. The aims were two-fold; results were intended to bolster our understanding of cooperative social behaviors while simultaneously providing vital information to conservation practitioners. Methodology for determining the sex of study individuals is presented in chapter two, which facilitated investigations that followed. Chapter three addressed the interaction between kingfishers and resources at both the landscape and home range scale. Higher population densities are associated with lowland mangrove, marsh forested habitats, and open vegetation types at the landscape scale. Results further indicated that at the home range scale, birds selectively used late succession forested habitats in higher proportions than their availability, and forest areas were entirely utilized in study areas where territories were packed boundary-to-boundary. Together these suggested that forested areas and the resources they contain might be limited for Micronesian Kingfishers. Movement and space use in Micronesian Kingfishers were the focus of chapter four. Within territories, the home ranges of birds overlapped, although not entirely. Birds of all ages and social classes made extraterritorial prospecting movements, but they appear to serve different functions. Juveniles and helpers were observed dispersing from natal areas, but only after repeated extraterritorial homesteading movements. The timing and destinations of adult prospecting suggested that the behavior might provide opportunities for covert reproduction. Population demography was addressed in chapters five and six, which concluded with the development of a population projection model that will be useful in kingfisher conservation efforts throughout the Pacific. Nestlings on cooperative territories had higher estimated survival rates than those on pair territories. Further, the timing of nestling disappearances and a modified nestling mandible suggested that mortalities were caused by siblicidal nest-mates. In chapter six, post-fledging vital rates were estimated for Micronesian Kingfishers and a population projection matrix model was developed. Vital rate parameters were then varied, and the model was used in a simulation analysis to evaluate the apparent influence of each parameter on population dynamics across a range of potential values. The exercise was intended to lend insight into the dynamics of Micronesian Kingfisher populations and to form a base model for management of the other eleven endangered Pacific Todiramphus species. In summary, information presented in this dissertation lends insight into factors important to understanding population demography, resource use, and movement in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers. Results illustrate that, like other cooperatively breeding species, the birds on Pohnpei are highly territorial and dispersal options may be limited by territory vacancies and forest resources. Extraterritorial prospecting movements have been observed in many cooperative species, and these results illustrate that they may serve multiple purposes. Siblicide is also a phenomenon present in resource-limited species and its occurrence in Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers underscores the importance of resources to the evolutionary history of the birds. Results from demographic analyses and modeling suggest that conservation efforts for Micronesian Kingfishers, and the other eleven Todiramphus species, should be broadly focused on all life history stages. Close

• 1418. [Article] Dietary responses of marine predators to variable oceanographic conditions in the Northern California Current

  Variable ocean conditions can greatly impact lower trophic level prey assemblages in marine ecosystems, with effects propagating up to higher trophic levels. Our goal was to better understand how varying ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Dietary responses of marine predators to variable oceanographic conditions in the Northern California Current Author: Gladics, Amanda J. Variable ocean conditions can greatly impact lower trophic level prey assemblages in marine ecosystems, with effects propagating up to higher trophic levels. Our goal was to better understand how varying ocean conditions influence diets and niche overlap among a suite of low- to mid trophic level predators. We studied the diets of common murres (Uria aalge) over 10 contrasting years between 1998 and 2011, a period in which the Northern California Current experienced dramatic interannual variability in ocean conditions. Likewise, murre diets off Oregon varied considerably. Interannual variation in murre chick diets appears to be influenced by environmental drivers occurring before and during the breeding season, at both basin and local spatial scales. While clupeids were an important diet component throughout the study period, in some years murre diets were dominated by Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) and other years by osmerids (likely Allosmerus elongatus and Hypomesus pretiosus). Years in which the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and local sea surface temperatures were above average during summer months also showed elevated levels of clupeids in murre diets, while years with higher winter ichthyoplankton biomass and summer northern copepod biomass anomalies had fewer clupeids and more sand lance and smelts. Years with higher Northern Oscillation Index values during summer months also showed more smelts in the murre diets. Nesting phenology and reproductive success were correlated with diet as well, reflecting demographic consequences of environmental variability mediated through bottom-up food web dynamics. To examine niche overlap between murres and other marine predators we employed collaborative fisheries research with synoptic observations of a major seabird colony to determine the diets of four predator species on the central Oregon coast during two years of contrasting El Niño (2010) vs. La Niña (2011) conditions. The greatest degree of dietary overlap was observed between Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and common murres, with both smelts (Osmeridae) and clupeids (primarily Clupea pallasii) observed as the dominant prey types. Diets differed between El Niño and La Niña conditions for two predators, murres and black rockfish (Sebastes melanops). During La Niña, smelts decreased, while sand lance increased in common murre diets. Black rockfish had fewer larval Dungeness crabs (Cancer magister) and a greater proportion of crab species associated with the later spring transition. Chinook salmon and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) diets were similar during El Niño and La Niña conditions. These findings underscore that the diets of common murres during chick rearing reflect local- and basin-scale biophysical processes in the Northern California Current, and are valuable for understanding the response of upper trophic level organisms to changing oceanographic conditions. Additionally, using multiple predators across several diverse taxa to track changes in prey communities provided a way to detect seemingly subtle changes in prey communities and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of food web dynamics and ecosystem indicators. Title: Dietary responses of marine predators to variable oceanographic conditions in the Northern California Current Author: Gladics, Amanda J. Variable ocean conditions can greatly impact lower trophic level prey assemblages in marine ecosystems, with effects propagating up to higher trophic levels. Our goal was to better understand how varying ocean conditions influence diets and niche overlap among a suite of low- to mid trophic level predators. We studied the diets of common murres (Uria aalge) over 10 contrasting years between 1998 and 2011, a period in which the Northern California Current experienced dramatic interannual variability in ocean conditions. Likewise, murre diets off Oregon varied considerably. Interannual variation in murre chick diets appears to be influenced by environmental drivers occurring before and during the breeding season, at both basin and local spatial scales. While clupeids were an important diet component throughout the study period, in some years murre diets were dominated by Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) and other years by osmerids (likely Allosmerus elongatus and Hypomesus pretiosus). Years in which the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and local sea surface temperatures were above average during summer months also showed elevated levels of clupeids in murre diets, while years with higher winter ichthyoplankton biomass and summer northern copepod biomass anomalies had fewer clupeids and more sand lance and smelts. Years with higher Northern Oscillation Index values during summer months also showed more smelts in the murre diets. Nesting phenology and reproductive success were correlated with diet as well, reflecting demographic consequences of environmental variability mediated through bottom-up food web dynamics. To examine niche overlap between murres and other marine predators we employed collaborative fisheries research with synoptic observations of a major seabird colony to determine the diets of four predator species on the central Oregon coast during two years of contrasting El Niño (2010) vs. La Niña (2011) conditions. The greatest degree of dietary overlap was observed between Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and common murres, with both smelts (Osmeridae) and clupeids (primarily Clupea pallasii) observed as the dominant prey types. Diets differed between El Niño and La Niña conditions for two predators, murres and black rockfish (Sebastes melanops). During La Niña, smelts decreased, while sand lance increased in common murre diets. Black rockfish had fewer larval Dungeness crabs (Cancer magister) and a greater proportion of crab species associated with the later spring transition. Chinook salmon and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) diets were similar during El Niño and La Niña conditions. These findings underscore that the diets of common murres during chick rearing reflect local- and basin-scale biophysical processes in the Northern California Current, and are valuable for understanding the response of upper trophic level organisms to changing oceanographic conditions. Additionally, using multiple predators across several diverse taxa to track changes in prey communities provided a way to detect seemingly subtle changes in prey communities and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of food web dynamics and ecosystem indicators. Close

• 1419. [Article] Substance Use Among Women Who Have Sex with Women

  Professional organizations in the fields of counseling and psychotherapy-related professions all require counselors and counseling students to work with a vast array of potential clients who may differ ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Substance Use Among Women Who Have Sex with Women Author: Dorn-Medeiros, Cort M. Professional organizations in the fields of counseling and psychotherapy-related professions all require counselors and counseling students to work with a vast array of potential clients who may differ significantly from themselves. For example, these counselor and client differences can include one or several factors such as age, race, ethnicity, ability status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and/or gender identity. As part of building up counselor competency to work with diverse individuals, ethical standards require counselors and counseling students to seek out relevant literature as it relates to appropriate assessment, intervention and advocacy for their clients. Likewise, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) requires counselors and counselor supervisors within the substance use counseling specialty to attend to issues of diversity both within the counselor to client relationship but also the supervisor to supervisee relationship. Additionally, substance use counseling supervisors are required to provide or coordinate appropriate and relevant supervisee training as needed related to issues of diversity to empower counselors to better advocate for both individual client needs as well as organizational change when appropriate. As part of a commitment to explore issues related to multicultural counseling and contribute to relevant literature, the research presented in this dissertation sought to study a population that often goes unnoticed and slips through the cracks of researcher consciousness. Few research studies that explore issues related to substance use or substance use as it relates to sexuality focus exclusively on female-identified populations. As such, women who have sex with women (WSW) often go unnoticed within study populations and become an invisible minority. Evidence exists to suggest women who report same-sex partners may be at elevated risk for experiencing negative health effects from alcohol and tobacco use. Using substances such as alcohol and tobacco at higher rates and frequencies can result in significant negative medical, social and interpersonal outcomes. Important common factors appear numerous times in the literature base on problematic substance use within lesbian and bisexual populations. For example, women who report same-sex partners more commonly report being current or former smokers, are less likely to abstain from alcohol and report more frequent instances of being drunk and an overall higher rate of alcohol consumption. The current study first utilized multiple regression analyses to examine the predictability of known demographic and behavioral risk factors for increased substance use among a sample of WSW who participated in the New York City Community Health Survey ( NYCCHS). Age, annual household income, race and past or current history of depression were included in the regression analyses to determine the predictability of these variables on participants self-reported levels of alcohol and tobacco use. Results showed that within the sample of WSW, age and a past or current history of depression were significant predictors of alcohol use. Race was the only significant predictor of tobacco use. Next, drawing upon the same sample of WSW in the NYCCHS, three two-tailed t-tests for independent means were performed to determine if a difference exists on levels of alcohol and tobacco use between WSW and who have experienced interpersonal violence, as quantified by the reported experience of either intimate partner violence or unwanted sexual contact, and WSW who have not experienced interpersonal violence. For WSW who reported alcohol use within the last 30 days, results showed that there exists a significant difference between the number of alcoholic drinks consumed between WSW who also reported interpersonal violence and WSW who did not report interpersonal violence. For WSW who reported any lifetime use of alcohol, results also showed a significant difference between the number of alcoholic drinks consumed between WSW who also reported interpersonal violence and WSW who did not report interpersonal violence. There was no significant difference in tobacco use between the two groups of WSW. The primary implication that emerged from this study was that women who report same-sex partners might be at increased risk of experiencing negative life outcomes stemming from elevated alcohol use and, in some instances, tobacco use. This population of WSW often goes unnoticed both in the realm of research in psychology and related fields and also within the context of treatment-setting environments. Sexual behavior and sexual orientation are often conflated. As such, women who have same-sex partners but do not identify openly or otherwise as lesbian, bisexual or other sexual minority, can frequently fall victim to heteronormative expectations and assumptions in community counseling environments but also within the intimacy of the therapy room. Particularly in treatment setting specific to substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders, these results reinforce the importance of counselors not only inquiring about sexual orientation but also remaining mindful and sensitive to gendered language when exploring past and current client relationships. Title: Substance Use Among Women Who Have Sex with Women Author: Dorn-Medeiros, Cort M. Professional organizations in the fields of counseling and psychotherapy-related professions all require counselors and counseling students to work with a vast array of potential clients who may differ significantly from themselves. For example, these counselor and client differences can include one or several factors such as age, race, ethnicity, ability status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and/or gender identity. As part of building up counselor competency to work with diverse individuals, ethical standards require counselors and counseling students to seek out relevant literature as it relates to appropriate assessment, intervention and advocacy for their clients. Likewise, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) requires counselors and counselor supervisors within the substance use counseling specialty to attend to issues of diversity both within the counselor to client relationship but also the supervisor to supervisee relationship. Additionally, substance use counseling supervisors are required to provide or coordinate appropriate and relevant supervisee training as needed related to issues of diversity to empower counselors to better advocate for both individual client needs as well as organizational change when appropriate. As part of a commitment to explore issues related to multicultural counseling and contribute to relevant literature, the research presented in this dissertation sought to study a population that often goes unnoticed and slips through the cracks of researcher consciousness. Few research studies that explore issues related to substance use or substance use as it relates to sexuality focus exclusively on female-identified populations. As such, women who have sex with women (WSW) often go unnoticed within study populations and become an invisible minority. Evidence exists to suggest women who report same-sex partners may be at elevated risk for experiencing negative health effects from alcohol and tobacco use. Using substances such as alcohol and tobacco at higher rates and frequencies can result in significant negative medical, social and interpersonal outcomes. Important common factors appear numerous times in the literature base on problematic substance use within lesbian and bisexual populations. For example, women who report same-sex partners more commonly report being current or former smokers, are less likely to abstain from alcohol and report more frequent instances of being drunk and an overall higher rate of alcohol consumption. The current study first utilized multiple regression analyses to examine the predictability of known demographic and behavioral risk factors for increased substance use among a sample of WSW who participated in the New York City Community Health Survey ( NYCCHS). Age, annual household income, race and past or current history of depression were included in the regression analyses to determine the predictability of these variables on participants self-reported levels of alcohol and tobacco use. Results showed that within the sample of WSW, age and a past or current history of depression were significant predictors of alcohol use. Race was the only significant predictor of tobacco use. Next, drawing upon the same sample of WSW in the NYCCHS, three two-tailed t-tests for independent means were performed to determine if a difference exists on levels of alcohol and tobacco use between WSW and who have experienced interpersonal violence, as quantified by the reported experience of either intimate partner violence or unwanted sexual contact, and WSW who have not experienced interpersonal violence. For WSW who reported alcohol use within the last 30 days, results showed that there exists a significant difference between the number of alcoholic drinks consumed between WSW who also reported interpersonal violence and WSW who did not report interpersonal violence. For WSW who reported any lifetime use of alcohol, results also showed a significant difference between the number of alcoholic drinks consumed between WSW who also reported interpersonal violence and WSW who did not report interpersonal violence. There was no significant difference in tobacco use between the two groups of WSW. The primary implication that emerged from this study was that women who report same-sex partners might be at increased risk of experiencing negative life outcomes stemming from elevated alcohol use and, in some instances, tobacco use. This population of WSW often goes unnoticed both in the realm of research in psychology and related fields and also within the context of treatment-setting environments. Sexual behavior and sexual orientation are often conflated. As such, women who have same-sex partners but do not identify openly or otherwise as lesbian, bisexual or other sexual minority, can frequently fall victim to heteronormative expectations and assumptions in community counseling environments but also within the intimacy of the therapy room. Particularly in treatment setting specific to substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders, these results reinforce the importance of counselors not only inquiring about sexual orientation but also remaining mindful and sensitive to gendered language when exploring past and current client relationships. Close

• 1420. [Article] Emotional effect of curvilinear vs. rectilinear forms of furniture in interior settings

  This study focused on people’s emotional responses to curvilinear and rectilinear lines in interior environments. Emotional reactions towards simulated interior settings were tested by having subjects ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Emotional effect of curvilinear vs. rectilinear forms of furniture in interior settings Author: Dazkir, Sibel Seda This study focused on people’s emotional responses to curvilinear and rectilinear lines in interior environments. Emotional reactions towards simulated interior settings were tested by having subjects complete an online survey. The survey tested respondents’ emotional reactions triggered by different forms of furniture. The survey included questions about six simulated interior settings with three different form styles: two settings with only curvilinear lines, two settings with only rectilinear lines, and two settings with a combination of curvilinear and rectilinear lines. Each specific form style was tested twice with a different furniture style and layout. It was hypothesized that curvilinearity would provide more pleasant and arousing emotions compared to the rectilinear lines. In other words, it was hypothesized that the settings with only rectilinear lines would be the least arousing and pleasing settings among all the interior settings used in this study. The survey questions utilized Mehrabian and Russell’s (1974) “Semantic Differential Measures of Emotional State or Characteristic (Trait) Emotions” scale, and “Verbal Measures of Approach - Avoidance” scale. The questions included in those scales measured pleasure, arousal, and approach-avoidance reactions towards the simulated settings. Those responses were tested with Wicoxon signed rank tests. The pleasure and arousal responses were also interpreted using Russell’s (1980) circumplex model of emotions. There were also open ended questions and a demographic section in the survey. The findings based on significant p-values from Wilcoxon signed rank tests indicated that the emotional responses differed between the groups of settings with different furniture styles and layouts. This revealed that furniture style and layout influenced emotional responses towards different types of forms. Accordingly, the emotional responses collected for each form type were compared in two groups: the settings with the same furniture style and layout were grouped together and compared with each other. The findings also indicated that the settings with only curvilinear lines elicited more pleasant emotions and the respondents desired to approach those settings more compared to the settings with only rectilinear lines. The results supported the literature about the preference for curvilinear forms due to the pleasant emotions triggered by them. The circumplexes also supported that the curvilinear forms elicited more pleasant emotions such as happiness, excitement, and feeling relaxed compared to the other forms. The results based on Wilcoxon signed rank tests comparing the settings with only rectilinear lines and the settings with a combination of curvilinear and rectilinear lines were inconsistent in the data. The hypotheses about the relationships between the two form types were not supported in regard to pleasure and arousal. Existence of curvilinearity and the variety of forms in the latter settings didn’t trigger more pleasant and arousing emotions in the participants than did the rectilinear lines as expected. It is believed that the results were influenced by the limitations of the study and those findings need further research. Finally, Spearman correlation tests were used for investigating the association between pleasure, arousal, and approach-avoidance dimensions. The results supported the literature: people approach and affiliate with others more in the settings that they find more pleasant compared to the unpleasant ones. In conclusion, emotions influence the way people react, affiliate, approach and avoid their near environments. Emotional effect of curvilinear vs. rectilinear forms of furniture in enclosed simulated settings were compared and discussed in this study. The findings of this study suggested use of curvilinear lines to design more welcoming and pleasant environments because the use of curvilinear lines creates positive emotions in people. Also, people approach those settings more and engage with other people in those settings more. The findings also provide foundation for further research. Title: Emotional effect of curvilinear vs. rectilinear forms of furniture in interior settings Author: Dazkir, Sibel Seda This study focused on people’s emotional responses to curvilinear and rectilinear lines in interior environments. Emotional reactions towards simulated interior settings were tested by having subjects complete an online survey. The survey tested respondents’ emotional reactions triggered by different forms of furniture. The survey included questions about six simulated interior settings with three different form styles: two settings with only curvilinear lines, two settings with only rectilinear lines, and two settings with a combination of curvilinear and rectilinear lines. Each specific form style was tested twice with a different furniture style and layout. It was hypothesized that curvilinearity would provide more pleasant and arousing emotions compared to the rectilinear lines. In other words, it was hypothesized that the settings with only rectilinear lines would be the least arousing and pleasing settings among all the interior settings used in this study. The survey questions utilized Mehrabian and Russell’s (1974) “Semantic Differential Measures of Emotional State or Characteristic (Trait) Emotions” scale, and “Verbal Measures of Approach - Avoidance” scale. The questions included in those scales measured pleasure, arousal, and approach-avoidance reactions towards the simulated settings. Those responses were tested with Wicoxon signed rank tests. The pleasure and arousal responses were also interpreted using Russell’s (1980) circumplex model of emotions. There were also open ended questions and a demographic section in the survey. The findings based on significant p-values from Wilcoxon signed rank tests indicated that the emotional responses differed between the groups of settings with different furniture styles and layouts. This revealed that furniture style and layout influenced emotional responses towards different types of forms. Accordingly, the emotional responses collected for each form type were compared in two groups: the settings with the same furniture style and layout were grouped together and compared with each other. The findings also indicated that the settings with only curvilinear lines elicited more pleasant emotions and the respondents desired to approach those settings more compared to the settings with only rectilinear lines. The results supported the literature about the preference for curvilinear forms due to the pleasant emotions triggered by them. The circumplexes also supported that the curvilinear forms elicited more pleasant emotions such as happiness, excitement, and feeling relaxed compared to the other forms. The results based on Wilcoxon signed rank tests comparing the settings with only rectilinear lines and the settings with a combination of curvilinear and rectilinear lines were inconsistent in the data. The hypotheses about the relationships between the two form types were not supported in regard to pleasure and arousal. Existence of curvilinearity and the variety of forms in the latter settings didn’t trigger more pleasant and arousing emotions in the participants than did the rectilinear lines as expected. It is believed that the results were influenced by the limitations of the study and those findings need further research. Finally, Spearman correlation tests were used for investigating the association between pleasure, arousal, and approach-avoidance dimensions. The results supported the literature: people approach and affiliate with others more in the settings that they find more pleasant compared to the unpleasant ones. In conclusion, emotions influence the way people react, affiliate, approach and avoid their near environments. Emotional effect of curvilinear vs. rectilinear forms of furniture in enclosed simulated settings were compared and discussed in this study. The findings of this study suggested use of curvilinear lines to design more welcoming and pleasant environments because the use of curvilinear lines creates positive emotions in people. Also, people approach those settings more and engage with other people in those settings more. The findings also provide foundation for further research. Close