Postpartum Celebrity Images: Influence on Self- Thoughts and Appearance Management Behaviours of Postpartum Women

Within previous decades, opinions about pregnancy and post-partum behaviour featured in various news articles and within popular literature emphasized issues related to pregnancy and liquor; campaigns against teen pregnancy; pregnancy and weight gain; and pregnancy and dieting behaviour. Attention has shifted from these issues to appearance-related topics including rapid weight loss, exercise regiments and food restriction. For example, photographs of celebrities have provided visual evidence that women can gain weight during pregnancy, give birth and within weeks revert to a thin, pre-pregnant body size. A qualitative method was used to explore to what extent, if any, images of post-partum celebrity bodies influenced self-thoughts of non-celebrity post-partum mothers and their appearance management. A total of 35 women completed in-depth interviews. Viewing post-partum celebrity images stirred up emotions of jealousy, anxiety and frustration, often followed by statements of envy or justification. Most participants reported engaging in upward social comparison with images. However, most participants did not behave differently relative to their appearance management (i.e., dieting, exercise or dressing)

Effects of Opportunistic Shooting on Trap Visitation by Wild Pigs

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a non-native, invasive species that cause in excess of $1.5 billion of damage annually in the United States. Although lethal removal by trapping is oftentimes the most cost- and time-effective means for managing local wild pig populations, many landowners and natural resource professionals implement additional non-trapping techniques such as opportunistic daytime shooting, night shooting, hunting with dogs, and shooting over bait to further enhance removal rates. However, these non-trapping techniques may significantly alter the behavior of wild pigs and subsequently reduce trapping success. Our objective was to provide a preliminary assessment of the effects non-trapping techniques on wild pig visitation to traps. During the summer of 2012, we monitored trap visitation of wild pig sounders and boars using game cameras at 26 corral traps on 6 study sites in Alabama. We implemented combinations of non-trapping removal techniques (recreational stalk hunting, night shooting, and shooting of pigs at traps) coupled with increase vehicular (ATV and truck) traffic along property trails (hereafter collectively termed disturbance) for 3-5 days on 3 study sites while continually monitoring sounder and boar visitation to traps on all 6 study sites. On each site, we prebaited traps for ≥2 weeks to condition approximately 3-4 sounders to visit traps and used game cameras to determine sounder composition. Once sounders became conditioned to visiting traps daily, we recorded the total number of days traps were visited, number of visits per 24-hour period, and the duration (min) of all visits during a one-week period prior to the implementation of disturbance. Repeated trap visits were segregated by ≥ 1 hour absence of pigs between image recordings and visit duration began when the first pig of a sounder was recorded on camera until after the last pig of the sounder left the trap. After one week of monitoring visitation metrics, we applied disturbance to one of each pair of sites. We classified non-trapping removal techniques as either direct or indirect disturbance. Indirect disturbance was a combination of non-trapping removal techniques that were not knowingly applied directly to wild pigs, such as stalk hunting and the periodic discharge of firearms and cracker shells in the immediate vicinity of traps and increased vehicular traffic. Direct disturbances were applied directly to specific wild pigs, mainly the shooting of non-trapped pigs while they are at a trap which is somewhat of a common practice among novice pig control operators. To simulate this direct disturbance, we set several traps to capture a portion of pigs from a sounder. Once captured, we then released the pigs while discharging several rounds as the pigs exited the trap. After disturbance was implemented, we continued monitoring trap visitation metrics on both sites within each pair of study sites. We used a Before-AfterControl-Impact (BACI) design to test for interaction effects among the visitation metrics between treatment and control sites before and after disturbance implementation. We monitored trap visitation of 16 sounders and 8 boars and 10 sounders and 8 boars on treatment and control sites, respectively. Overall, we applied 39 hours of indirect disturbance and 3 hours of direct disturbance (via use of dogs) including the discharge of 112 cracker shells and 63 high-powered rifle rounds on treatment (disturbance) sites. Additionally, we simulated the shooting of pigs while at traps (direct disturbance) on an additional 6 sounders. Total number of days (P=0.349) and total number of visits (P=0.130) 1-week before and after disturbance on treatment and control sites were similar; however, total visit duration differed before and after disturbance on treatment and control sites (P=0.038), demonstrating a change in pig behavior in response to disturbance. Although we did not detect treatment effects for total days visited and total number of visits, we speculate this may be due to our relatively small sample sizes coupled with inherent variability in pig response. Moreover, we only applied disturbance for a relatively short period of time (3-5 days) with somewhat minimal levels of disturbance. Within the context of one year of data, we suggest non-trapping techniques be implemented cautiously, and strategically, when conducting wild pig removal as these techniques may reduce overall trapping success

Evaluation of Scents Attractants for Baiting Wild Pigs

Lethal removal by trapping is one of the most cost- and time-effective means for managing wild pigs (Sus scrofa). Scent attractants are frequently used to lure wild pigs to camera stations for scouting or monitoring wild pig populations or at trap sites to reduce the amount of time for pigs to locate the trap. However, the effectiveness of scents to attract and increase wild pig visitation to camera stations or traps is debatable. Therefore, our objective was to determine if wild pigs visited camera stations sooner and more frequently when scents were used in addition to whole kernel corn. We conducted our study on portions of the state-owned Lowndes County Wildlife Management Area (5,650 ha) and on privately owned property (1,820 ha) in Lowndes and Macon counties, AL, respectively, during 2014-2016. We selected portions within these study areas where active, premeditated wild pig removal (trapping, shooting) had not occurred for at least 1 year in order to minimize biases associated with trap shy pig behavior. We sectioned each study area into 1km2 grids and assigned a camera station to each grid cell overlapping the study area. Within each grid cell, the camera station was subjectively placed in forest cover near water. We then assigned randomly treatments of corn (11.3 kg), corn and a molasses-based attractant (0.23 L), or corn and a pig urine attractant (15 ml) to each of 66 camera stations. Corn and attractants were replenished after 7 days. We then used motion-sensitive game cameras to record the time (in min) from the initial placement of bait and scent at each station until the first wild pig was captured on camera images. Cameras remained active on each station for 14 days and were set to capture 3-picture bursts with a 10-second delay among pictures and 1-minute delay between bursts. Camera stations were distributed within each study area at a density of approximately one station per 100-250 ha. We recorded the time of first detection, frequency of visits, and identifying characteristics of pigs and sounders. We used a Χ2 test to determine if frequency of visits differed among treatments and an ANOVA to determine differences in time until first visit differed among treatments. Wild pigs visited 23 of 66 (35%) bait stations which did not differ among treatment sites (P=0.231). Of these 23 active camera stations, time until first visit did not differ among treatments (P=0.599). Mean time until first visit to a station was approximately 62.0 hours (about 2.6 days). Scent attractants did not have a noticeable effect on increasing wild pig visitation to baited camera stations suggesting managers 28 should focus on proper placement of bait stations or traps in areas frequented by wild pigs rather than relying on scents to lure pigs to desired locations

Recruitment and baseline characteristics of the Community of Voices choir study to promote the health and well-being of diverse older adults.

Objective:To describe the recruitment and baseline results of the Community of Voices study that aims to examine the effect of a community choir intervention on the health and well-being of older adults from diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Method:Using community-based participatory research methods, we recruited adults age 60 and over from 12 Administration on Aging-supported senior centers in San Francisco into a 2-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial of the community choir intervention. Multiple outreach methods were used. We tracked outreach, screening, and recruitment metrics and collected demographics and baseline outcomes via community-based, interviewer-administered surveys and performance measures of cognition, physical function, and psychosocial variables. Results:The study contacted 819 individuals, screened 636, and enrolled 390 diverse older adults over a 42-month, phased recruitment period. The mean age was 71.2 (SD = 7.3), and the majority were women. Two-thirds of the sample are non-white, and 20% of participants reported having financial hardship. Discussion:Outreach and recruitment methods used in the Community of Voices trial facilitated enrollment of a large proportion of minority and lower-SES older adults in the final sample. Similar recruitment approaches could serve as a model for recruiting diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic older adults into research

Attributed Meanings and Strategies to Prevent Challenging Behaviors of Hospitalized Children with Autism: Two Perspectives

Introduction Understanding is limited of the meaning attributed to behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder and strategies used to prevent challenging behaviors in the context of hospitalization. Methods This qualitative study consisted of two focus groups (n = 10; five mothers and five health care providers [HCPs]). Transcripts were analyzed using the qualitative method of narrative inquiry. Results The meaning attributed to behaviors by the mothers and the HCPs differed. The mothers attributed behaviors to the child\u27s communication of frustration, hyperactivity, and self-calming. The HCPs attributed challenging behaviors to self-stimulation and child aggression. Strategies to prevent behaviors also differed. Mothers focused on preparation prior to hospitalization and attempts to partner with HCPs. HCPs identified fewer strategies and consulted mothers for strategies to manage challenging behaviors. Discussion HCP and parent collaboration could lead to strategies to increase supports for children with autism spectrum disorder in the hospital to decrease their frustration and challenging behaviors

Body Appreciation as a Means to Protect Social Media Users from Body Dissatisfaction

When young adult women and men are exposed to idealized images in traditional media outlets, they often experience body dissatisfaction. As the use of social media increases, so do the opportunities for appearance-based comparisons. Individuals who are heavy users of social networking sites also tend to exhibit body dissatisfaction. Body appreciation is a personal characteristic that seems to counteract the negative influence traditional media exposure, and it may have a similar effect for social media exposure. The purpose of our research was to investigate the impact of body appreciation on the relationship between social network sites usage and body dissatisfaction with young adult women and men. An online survey method was employed to collect the data. Participants, who were recruited using Amazon Mechanical Turk, completed a questionnaire featuring previously developed scales. The multi-item scales featured seven-point, Likert-type items. The data were analyzed using the two-step approach to structural equation modeling. The structural model was used to test the hypotheses. All of the hypotheses were supported. Social networking sites usage was positively related to body dissatisfaction. Fortunately, though, body appreciation did reduce body dissatisfaction as a moderating variable. Because usage of social networking sites is ubiquitous in today’s society, understanding the impact that these sites have on users is important. Our findings indicate that negative outcomes, such as body dissatisfaction, can occur as a result of social networking sites usage. Uncovering ways to limit these negative outcomes, including increasing body appreciation, is vital for young adults’ mental health

Examination of the Spatial Distribution of Trapping Success on a Wild Pig Removal Cooperative in Alabama

As wild pig removal programs continue throughout the United States, few programs have provided detailed information regarding landscape features, property ownership, and management activities that may impact trapping success. Whereas a greater amount of research is being conducted to understand the spatial ecology of wild pigs, there still exists a paucity of information with regards to wild pig movements which likely hampers removal efforts. Likewise, no studies have examined landscape characteristics that may impact local trapping success. Therefore, we examined the spatial distribution of trapping success of wild pigs on a 1,821 ha removal cooperative of three private landowners in central Alabama during 2014-2016. The study site consisted predominantly of forest land intermixed with small agricultural fields and wetlands along Bughall Creek, a large waterway system, in Macon county. In cooperation with USDA Wildlife Services removal operations, we recorded the date, trap location, and number of wild pigs captured at 13 trap sites distributed throughout the cooperative. Most traps consisted of three 4.8-m x 1.5-m horse panels with various steel or wooden trap doors baited with whole kernel corn and checked daily. All traps were active nearly continuously from about May-October, and opportunistically from November-April, each year. We captured at total of 757 wild pigs during 2014- 2016 with most of these captures (68%) occurring during the May-October trapping period. Whereas the number of wild pigs captured declined over three years (2014=359, 2015=232, 2016=166), significant numbers of wild pigs were still being removed in 2016. Trapping success (range=2-139 pigs captured/trap) varied spatially and temporally across the cooperative and among years with the constant influx of wild pigs likely due to movement along riparian corridors from source populations in adjacent properties. Trapping success was consistently greater for those traps located closer to water sources. Landscape features and sporting activities of adjacent landowners may significantly influence the movement of wild pigs onto a property and should be considered when assessing damage and subsequently developing removal programs. Future research should focus on understanding the spatial ecology of wild pigs within the context of removal operations

Dress and Sex: A Review of Empirical Research Involving Human Participants and Published in Refereed Journals

Our research purpose was to assess research addressing relationships between dress and sex. Our review was focused on a 25 years span (i.e., 1990–2015) and on empirical research utilizing human participants published in refereed journals. Three main areas of research emerged: (1) dress used as cue to sexual information, (2) dress and sexual violence, and (3) dress, sex, and objectification. Our analyses revealed parents do invest their young children with sex-typed dress however sometimes children demand to wear such dress. Some women intentionally use dress to communicate sexual information but inferences about women who wear sexy dress can be misinterpreted and are sometimes negative. Observers link wearing sexy dress to violence including sexual coercion, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and unwelcome groping, touching, and grabbing. Certain items of sexy dress that reveal the body have been linked to self objectification. The fit of the items may also contribute to the body revealing nature of clothing styles that elicit self-objectification. The use of sexual images of women and children has increased over time and viewing such images is also linked to self- and other-objectification. Suggestions are provided for future research