<p> The family Corivdae, which includes crows and ravens, contains arguably some of the most intelligent species the animal kingdom has to offer. Separated from primates by at least 252 million years of evolution, birds bear striking physiological differences from mammals, while displaying similar intellectual abilities. This apparent convergent evolution of intelligence sheds light on what could possibly be a universal phenomenon. While many excellent studies show the abilities of corvids, the majority of them test only captive subjects. This study tested the capabilities of both captive and wild ravens, from three different species. The first portion of the study tested which of the four solutions offered wild ravens would choose when solving a Multi-Access Box. The second portion of the study tested the performance of wild and captive ravens when solving a Multi-Latch Box. The nine raven subjects were split into four different levels of enculturation based on their known histories. Two wild common ravens (<i>Corvus corax</i>) on the campus of the University of Arizona were level 1, four wild common ravens in the parking lot of a United States Forest Service parking lot were level 2, two captive and trained Chihuahuan ravens (<i>Corvus cryptoleucus</i>) from the Raptor Free Flight program at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum comprised level 3, and one captive and trained white-necked raven (<i>Corvus albicollis </i>) made level 4. It is possible to run trials with completely wild and free birds. It was found that ravens prefer direct methods of obtaining food, such as opening doors and pulling strings, instead of tool use. It was also found that while the relationship between enculturation level and success solving a puzzle was not linear, captive birds were the best solvers. The data given here suggest that captivity, training and enrichment history, and enculturation should all be considered when performing cognitive studies with animals.</p>

<p> Shelter dogs with problem behavior may have trouble getting adopted or may be euthanized. However, there are few studies that have used behavioral assessment and treatments for problem behavior of shelter dogs. Some studies have used functional analyses to determine function of behavior with nonhuman animals, including dogs. However, it is unclear whether the functions tested in those functional analyses approximate the natural contingencies in the environment that the animals live. This study conducted a descriptive analysis to identify environmental variables that occur with problem behavior of shelter dogs. Six dogs housed at a local animal shelter participated in the study. The observations were analyzed and used to determine the temporal proximity of stimuli to problem behavior. Results demonstrated that descriptive analyses are useful in identifying stimuli occurring in the natural environment that are not otherwise used in typical functional analysis conditions. Possible limitations and future research are discussed.</p>

<p> A common treatment that is implemented to decrease problem behavior and increase appropriate behavior in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is functional communication training (FCT; Carr &amp; Durand, 1985). Although demonstrated to be highly effective, it is possible that procedures will not be implemented with fidelity by caregivers in the natural environment. In these situations, functional communicative responses (FCRs) are likely to undergo extinction, increasing the likelihood of the reemergence of problem behavior (e.g., Fisher et al., 1993; Hanley, Iwata, &amp; Thompson, 2001), known as resurgence. In applied contexts, the resurgence of problem behavior during temporary lapses in procedural fidelity represents a reality for which there are currently few solutions (Lambert et al., 2017). One possible treatment for resurgence of problem behavior in the face of extinction challenges is multiple mand training during FCT. The purpose of this study is to evaluate what effect teaching multiple FCRs as outlined in serial FCT by Lambert, Bloom, Samaha, and Dayton (2017) has on resurgence of problem behavior and FCRs during extinction challenges. We will then evaluate what effect implementing a lag schedule of reinforcement following serial FCT will have on resurgence of problem behavior and FCRs during extinction challenges compared to serial FCT.</p><p>

abstract: Features of the built environment (BE) are related to a wide range of health factors, including leisure-time physical activity (PA) and active forms of transportation. For working adults, worksite neighborhood is likely an important BE to better understand the impact of various factors on PA patterns. Compared to home neighborhood walkability research, worksite walkability has received relatively less attention. The objective of this project was to identify if worksite walkability was significantly associated with PA behavior. Aims: to evaluate 1) the PA variation explained by work walkability, 2) the moderating effects of person-level characteristics to the relationship between PA and work walkability, and 3) the differences in the rate of change in PA over time by worksite walkability. Methods: self-report and accelerometer measured PA at baseline (aim 1, 2); longitudinal accelerometer PA during the initial 56 days of a behavioral intervention (aim 3). Adults were generally healthy and reported part- or full-time employment with a geocodeable address outside the home. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) measured walkability followed established techniques (i.e., residential, intersection, and transit densities, and land-use-mix). Results: On average, worksite walkability did not show direct relationships with PA (aim 1); yet certain person-level characteristics moderated the relationships: sex, race, and not having young children in the household (aim 2). During 56 days of intervention, the PA rate of change over time showed no evidence of a moderating effect by worksite walkability. Discussion: Worksite walkability was generally not shown to relate to the overall PA. However, specific subgroups (women, those without young children) appeared more responsive to their worksite neighborhood walkability. Prior literature shows certain demographics respond differently with various BE exposures, and this study adds a potentially novel moderator of interest regarding young children at home. Understanding who benefits from access to walkable BE may inform targeted interventions and policy to improve PA levels and foster health equity. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted behaviors and interests. Individuals with ASD also display higher incidence of comorbid medical conditions such as seizure disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues. Accordingly, individuals with ASD often require more frequent medical encounters and utilize a wider range of services than those with normal development. Despite this increase in medical attention, there still exists a pervasive lack of knowledge on how to best care for this complex patient population. Even among well-equipped providers, the communicative impairments seen in ASD may complicate a patient’s ability to understand explanations and instructions provided by clinicians. Furthermore, hypersensitivities to auditory, visual, and other sensory stimuli common in the hospital setting may make it difficult for patients with ASD to tolerate necessary testing and/or treatment procedures. The ASD Friendly Ethnographic Study was designed with these concerns in mind, and aims to identify and describe barriers to care faced by patients with ASD as they seek outpatient treatment across several clinical departments at the Boston Medical Center (BMC). Unlike previous studies which have relied on self-reported assessments from parents and clinicians, our study employs ethnographic methods to observe firsthand how the hospital environment may exacerbate symptoms of ASD and compromise effective medical care for these patients. Our research team followed several ASD patients during visits at BMC and took detailed fieldnotes describing patient behavior, caregiver interaction, and provider response. Subsequent coding and analysis of these notes hopes to reveal the most meaningful barriers faced by patients with ASD, as well as techniques used to mediate or avoid these complications. We hope that further discussion of these results will inform best practices for treatment of ASD and guide future research on the subject. / 2018-08-10

abstract: PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify whether increased Pokémon GO use resulted in increased daily steps, compared to days when an individual did not play. In addition, this study examined Pokémon GO as a use case for for the study of gamification, particularly whether traditionally identified game mechanics in gamification literature were successfully identified as elements players enjoy when playing Pokémon GO. METHODS: A mixed methods approach, with 17 participants taking part in a daily physical activity tracking study and 14 participants participating in semi-structured interviews. In the use study, participant steps were tracked for one week using the Apple Health Kit application, and participants were also asked to provide daily answers to a variety of questions assessing game preferences and daily use of Pokémon GO - using the application called PACO. The semi-structured interviews examined self-reported physical activity, and asked questions pertaining to use of Pokémon GO, such as motivation to play. RESULTS: Results assessed by t-test indicate a small but non-significant trend towards increased steps taken on days when a participant played vs. did not play (t(72)=- .56, p=.57, mplay=5,0153220, mnonplay=4,5152,959). This was confirmed with a mixed model test showing that when controlling for time and participant’s baseline level of steps, there was no significant effect on steps/day. Results from the daily surveys and also the semi-structured interviews, indicated that nostalgia (i.e., catching ones’ favorite childhood Pokémon), was a strong motivator for many to play the game, which was counter to theoretical expectations. In line with previous theory, results suggested that operant conditioning principles appeared to be at work in terms of fostering game play use. DISCUSSION: Results of this study, which was a primarily hypothesis generating endeavor, indicated possible trends toward increased steps on days when a person plays Pokémon G), but - with such a small sample, and short-term length of study - no firm conclusions can be drawn. Further, results indicate the particular value of nostalgia as a driver towards game play for Pokémon GO. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness 2016

abstract: Health care in the United States has been undergoing significant changes since the 2010 passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. One of the outcomes of this policy was an attempt to bring physical health care and behavioral health care together in an effort to provide more coordinated care for patients. This change created an opportunity to improve the quality of care for patients, and as a result reduce high cost emergency service that could be prevented through better maintenance of chronic conditions. Three studies were conducted to examine challenges behavioral health agencies face in implementing two models of coordinated care (co-located and fully integrated), staff and organization capacity and needs, and patient service utilization by model of care coordination. The first study used site visits and interviews to capture the challenges faced by agencies. Results from this study indicated that behavioral health agencies faced a number of challenges in providing coordinated care including financial barriers, regulations, information sharing, inadequate technology, and provider training needs. The second study used a staff survey to assess agency and staff capacity and needs in providing coordinated care. The results from this study found differences in capacity based on model of coordination in multiple dimensions related to inter-agency coordination and communication, role clarity, and team cohesion. The third study examined patient service utilization for outpatient visits, inpatient visits, and emergency visits. The results indicated that patients receiving care from co-located agencies were more likely to have at least one encounter in each of the three service utilization categories compared to patients at fully integrated agencies. Overall, the three studies suggest that agencies that have or will implement models of coordinated care face significant barriers that may impact the sustainability or feasibility of such care. Given the findings on patient service utilization, it seems that coordinated care has great potential for patient level outcomes which makes addressing agency barriers even more critical. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Social Work 2017

abstract: Real time project management has been underutilized as a tool to help youth grow personally and professionally. The thesis Real Time Project Management (PM) for Youth from Low Income Single Parent Households develops a study that seeks to result in a higher percentage of youth attending and completing college. The concept is to have youth from low income single parent households work as project managers each summer doing real time small projects for private companies. The youth would start at age 14 and conclude at age 18. They would do five summers of project management, managing small projects each summer while learning not only about project risks, budgets, scheduling, resources, supply chain logistics and relationships that each project encompasses, but also about communication skills, mathematics and science, selfdiscipline and professional behavior, and teamwork. This thesis develops and details the Real Time Project Management for Youth from Low Income Single Parent Households concept and introduces a potential structure and path for its testing and implementation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Construction Management 2018

<p> The human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and persistent infection with oncogenic types can lead to cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV vaccination can protect against infection. However, vaccine series initiation and completion rates are below national goals. This dissertation aimed to identify individual- and clinic-level factors associated with HPV vaccination among adolescents aged 11-17 years to inform future interventions aimed at increasing vaccination and reducing HPV-related cancers.</p><p> This dissertation is in the form of three manuscripts each contributing to the overall aim. In manuscript 1, we conducted a systematic review of reviews identifying parental, provider, and clinic-level factors associated with HPV vaccination among adolescents. We synthesized findings from 12 reviews into a multilevel framework of HPV vaccination that can broaden our understanding of HPV vaccination and can inform future interventions by highlighting the relations between factors and potential intervention points. In manuscript 2, we examined correlates of parental intentions to vaccinate and parental psychosocial predictors of HPV vaccination for low income, underinsured Hispanic adolescent females. Findings can inform the development of targeted interventions for this population. In manuscript 3, we identified clinic characteristics and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science Inner Setting constructs associated with HPV vaccine series initiation rates within a pediatric clinic network. Understanding clinic-level factors associated with vaccination can inform implementation of clinic systems and policies aimed at increasing vaccination rates.</p><p> Overall, these manuscripts contribute to the literature examining multilevel factors associated with adolescent HPV vaccination. Findings inform future multilevel interventions aimed at increasing HPV vaccination and targeting parent-, provider-, and clinic-levels.</p><p>

Research has shown that self-control can positively impact a variety of areas in an individual’s life and that self-control can be taught. Studies that used progressive duration criterions for reinforcement have shown to be effective for teaching self-control. Research that uses socially valid target behaviors and qualitatively different reinforcers to teach self-control may be effective and relevant in applied settings. Still, there is limited research in this area and only one study conducted by Passage et al. (2012) that uses all three elements to teach self-control. Furthermore, the study conducted by Passage et al. is also the only study that utilized qualitatively different reinforcers to teach self-control. Therefore, further exploration of qualitatively different reinforcers and their effects on acquisition is needed. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a replication of the effects found in Passage et al.’s study by using a multiple baseline across participants design. Results indicated that the self-control training intervention was moderately effective for one participant for increasing the time the participant engaged in a task but this effect was not replicated with the second participant. The third participant dropped out of the study before its completion. These limitations did not allow sufficient replication of the effect found in the original study. / Applied Behavioral Analysis