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Effectiveness of a Developmentally Attuned Exposure Therapy for Young Children with Williams Syndrome and Specific Phobias
No full textWilliams syndrome is a rare neurogenic disorder caused by a hemizygous deletion on chromosome 7, with a prevalence of 1 in 7,500. The most common comorbid anxiety disorder among children with Williams syndrome is specific phobia (53%; Leyfer et al., 2006). Although there is some evidence for the promise of CBT approaches for people with Williams syndrome and anxiety, evidence-based interventions specifically targeting phobias in children with Williams syndrome have yet to be examined. Exposure therapy is the gold standard, well-established treatment for specific phobias in typically developing children (APA Division 12, 2017), and recent studies indicate that even a brief CBT intervention has demonstrated improvements. Our research team recently adapted and manualized a play-based exposure therapy for children with developmental disabilities and emotion dysregulation challenges (Replays) in a clinician-researcher partnership. This approach is based in the core principles of exposure therapy and uses play and humor to entice children to engage with their phobic stimulus in ways that do not overly dysregulate them. We then conducted a pilot study with a small sample of children with Williams syndrome who displayed strong emotional reactions to specific stimuli, demonstrating the promise of this intervention (Klein-Tasman et al., 2022). Building from those preliminary findings, the current study examined the effectiveness of this brief, developmentally adapted cognitive-behavioral exposure intervention for children with Williams syndrome and specific phobias. Five children aged 4-8 with Williams syndrome and co-occurring specific phobia (4 girls; 1 boy) participated, accompanied by at least one primary parent or caregiver. A non-concurrent multiple baseline across participants design was used to analyze the impact of this developmentally attuned exposure therapy on child fear and phobia-related interference across measures of clinical severity, global improvement, as well as daily and weekly parent-report ratings. Four of five children achieved remission for their primary targeted phobia by the 1-month and/or 3-month follow up timepoints, based on clinical severity ratings. These same four participants were deemed treatment responders at both the 1-month and 3-month follow up, based on clinician-rated global improvement and showed reductions in child fear and phobia-related interference on at least one metric of weekly or daily parent-report ratings. Discussion of measurement strengths and limitations in this single-case design is included, particularly related to clinical implications and future directions of this treatment development line of research. This treatment effectiveness study builds on the preliminary findings of this work (Klein-Tasman et al., 2022; Young et al., 2023), providing more confident evidence of the positive impacts of this developmentally attuned exposure therapy for young children with Williams syndrome and specific phobias using single case series design.2027-08-2
Microaggressions Within Speech-Language Pathology : Elementary School-Based Slps' Perceptions of Microaggressions Experienced by Children They Serve
No full textColor poster with text, maps, charts, and graphs.Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional acts of discrimination that harm children, particularly those from minoritized backgrounds. Microaggressions may be related to a variety of different aspects of identity including race and ethnicity, disability, languages and dialects, gender, and socio-economic status. Microaggressions have been experienced by Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and SLP students. Further, studies have documented the prevalence of microaggressions in schools and the impact on children the SLPs serve. The purpose of this study is to understand how aspects of Wisconsin elementary school SLPs’ backgrounds, experiences, and identities may intersect with their perceptions of microaggressions experienced by the children they serve. Eight elementary school SLPs were interviewed. Participants were chosen to represent multiple areas of Wisconsin and a wide range of identities and practice settings. Semi-structured interviews were used to understand details about the SLP’s background and their perceptions of microaggressions in the environment where they worked. Interviews were analyzed to discover themes. Results revealed complexity among the ways in which elementary-school SLPs' backgrounds intersected with their perceptions of the microaggressions experienced by the students they serve. Findings can help to reduce microaggressions against children from a variety of backgrounds and create environments in which all children can thrive.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program
Frozen Storage is Detrimental to the Functionality of Cream Cheese and Mascarpone even in High Pressure Treated Samples
No full textPrinciple Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Data setCream cheese and Mascarpone are two popular types of fresh cheeses. In the US, these cheeses have recently experienced growth in their exports due to their popularity in baking and dessert applications (e.g., cheesecake and tiramisu). Historically, these products were consumed quickly, but the introduction of processing methods like hot packing (where the hot product is filled directly into the final containers) has facilitated a much longer shelf life. Freezing is a widely used approach to extend the shelf life of cheeses like low moisture part-skim Mozzarella, but to our knowledge it is not used for many fresh cheeses. The high moisture and low protein contents of these fresh cheeses could increase the risk that the freezing process could damage the protein matrix. We investigated the impact of various storage temperatures on the texture, rheological properties, as well as functionality in key food applications, of these two types of fresh cheeses. The freezing point of cream cheese and Mascarpone has not been published but we considered that it should be <0°C, and that temperatures around 0°C may be considered a type of superchilling (or use of very low refrigeration temperatures). We obtained commercially manufactured cream and Mascarpone cheeses one week after manufacture and then stored cheeses at 4°C, 0°C, or 18°C for 450 d. Yeast and molds can limit the shelf life of fresh cheeses. High pressure processing (HPP) can easily inactivate yeasts and molds, so we also tested the impact of HPP (after packaging) on the properties of these cheeses that were part of the temperature trials. Both types of cheese held at 18°C exhibited a reduction in firmness during storage. There was no significant change in firmness for both cheese samples when stored at 4 or 0°C. A grainy texture was observed in the frozen cream cheese samples, HPP treatment slightly improved the graininess. Cracks and a brittle body were observed in the frozen mascarpone cheese samples, which appeared smoother with HPP treatment. Cheesecakes made with frozen cream cheese samples were weaker than cheeses stored at 4 or 0°C, which hardly changed in hardness during the storage period. Similar trends for cheesecake hardness were seen in HPP treated cheeses. We evaluated the yield stress of foams prepared from tiramisu desserts made with Mascarpone cheese. Frozen storage reduced the yield stress of tiramisu foams; yield stress of foams made from the Mascarpone cheeses stored at 4 or 0°C hardly changed during the storage period. The freezing points of cream cheese and Mascarpone were determined by differential scanning calorimetry to be approximately -8°C and -2°C, respectively. Frozen storage was highly detrimental to the texture and functionality of both cream cheese and Mascarpone and should be avoided.Dairy Management Inc. (Rosemont, IL)
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (Madison, WI
“It Has a Half in the Middle” : Early Use of Fraction Words Across First and Second Grade
No full textColor poster with text, images, charts, and graphs.Children show understanding of fraction-related ideas years before learning about fractions in school (Begolli et al., 2020). We measured developmental changes in this understanding by tracking children’s production of fraction words across first and second grade. We investigated two questions: (1) Does frequency and accuracy of children’s fraction word use change over time? (2) How do children’s errors with these words change over time? As part of a larger study, 77 children completed the Informal Fraction Knowledge Assessment (Viegut et al., 2023) three times: start of first grade, end of first grade, and end of second grade. We analyzed the first 7 items, in which children helped characters share fairly (e.g., two bunnies share 6 carrot sticks) and explained their answer choice. We coded children’s explanations for the presence or absence of fraction words (e.g., “half”, “quarter”), the correctness of that usage, and the type of error if incorrect. Results highlight that children’s use of fraction words increases across 1st and 2nd grades (50% to 84%), even without formal fraction instruction, but errors with fraction words also increase. These findings raise new questions about how children’s growing informal knowledge can be leveraged to support formal fraction learning.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program
Food Safety Net & Nutrition Incentive Programs : WI Farmers' Markets SNAP Matching Program with Statewide Implications : Part III
No full textColor poster with text, images, charts, photographs, and graphs.Food insecurity is a significant issue facing many American households. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides increased access to food for families in need. Additionally, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption has been shown to improve health and reduce the risk of a variety of chronic diseases. However, poor nutrition among children and adults, including low FV intake have contributed to rising rates of obesity in America. It is particularly challenging for low-income households to purchase/eat the recommended amount of FV. Farmers’ markets offer a wide variety of fresh, local and healthy foods, especially FV, but data show that low-income households are much less likely to shop at farmers’ markets. The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers’ Market (ECDFM) sponsors a Market Match Program (MMP) incentivizing SNAP households to shop at the market. This presentation connects our work to the literature on offering incentives to SNAP shoppers at farmers’ markets. Our results show that the ECDFM MMP faces many similar challenges to other FM incentive programs. Additionally, we reference our participation in a statewide coalition to develop and expand these types of programs across the state. We conclude with policy recommendations in the context of the history of SNAP.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program
Mapping Urban Coyote Ecology in Los Angeles: Insights from Citizen Science and Human Mobility Data
No full textA dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Geography) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2025.Understanding how urban coyotes (Canis latrans) respond to human activities is a critical challenge in urban ecology, especially in an era of rapid urbanization. As coyotes adapt to urban environments, the list of citizen reports on coyote occurrence together with their locations also becomes more frequent and diverse, offering new opportunities to study their behaviors on a larger scale for human-coyote interaction. This study investigates the spatial and temporal distributions of coyotes in Los Angeles County by integrating citizen science data from iNaturalist together with environmental, socioeconomic and human mobility datasets. We develop a species distribution model using Random Forest and Geographically Weighted Regression(GWR) to identify key ecological and anthropogenic drivers. Furthermore, we employ structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore how time-varying human visitor flows, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, influence urban coyote visibility across neighborhoods.
Our findings reveal that spatial patterns of coyote occurrence are strongly influenced by environmental and socioeconomic variables. The Random Forest and GWR models highlight that socioeconomic conditions such as poverty rate and population density are key predictors of the use of coyote habitat, with lower income and high density areas showing higher incidence. Furthermore, the spatial heterogeneity in the correlation between seasonal environmental factors and socioeconomic variables reflects the adaptive habitat selection strategies of coyotes at different times of the year. SEM further reveals that coyote observations increase significantly with human inflow in real time during and after the pandemic, while declining in response to sustained human absence. This suggests that coyote behavior is more shaped by short-term human mobility patterns than by long-term redistribution. Importantly, we demonstrate that citizen science data, while subject to reporting biases, correlate strongly with ecological suitability and human mobility patterns, offering a unique perspective on urban wildlife dynamics using spatial data science approaches.Trewartha Research Awar
Toward Sustainable Practice: Exploring Career Pathways, Supports, and Challenges, Sustainability and Digital Transformation in Water Engineering Practice
No full textIn the face of accelerating climate change and global water scarcity, the necessity for resilient, equitable, and sustainable water infrastructure has become increasingly pressing. Water engineering plays a pivotal role in addressing this challenge, yet its effective management requires more than merely technical solutions. It necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the support, development, and retention strategies employed within the water engineering sector. This research investigates the multifaceted dimensions of sustainable practice within water engineering by conducting in-depth interviews with professionals across the sector. Using a qualitative methodology, this study employed semi-structured interviews with water sector professionals, analyzed through thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and narratives. The study identifies six interconnected themes that influence career development and organizational effectiveness: effective communication, supportive work environments, consultancy experiences with the water industry, digital transformation, internship experiences, and gender discrimination. The findings reveal that effective communication is a foundational skill that enhances collaboration, leadership, and stakeholder engagement, especially in an increasingly interdisciplinary and interconnected sector. Supportive work environments, defined by mentorship, open dialogue, and emotional safety, play a critical role in fostering resilience, professional growth, and long-term workforce retention. Early career experiences through internships and consultancy positions serve as vital touchpoints, helping individuals navigate complex technical projects, build confidence, and discover their professional identity. Digital transformation is reshaping the sector not only through new technologies such as automation and data-driven monitoring but also through shifts in organizational culture, remote work, and expectations for digital literacy. In this context, self-improvement and self-learning emerge as essential tools for career advancement, enabling professionals to remain agile and ready for the future. Simultaneously, the persistence of gender discrimination continues to erode psychological safety and inclusivity in the workplace, with women in particular facing systemic barriers to recognition and leadership. Ultimately, this study explores that sustainable practice in water engineering is not solely a matter of technical innovation, it requires an integrated approach that values interpersonal skills, continuous learning, inclusive leadership, and structural change. To meet the escalating demands of global water management and climate adaptation, the sector must invest in building work environments that are not only technically proficient but also socially conscious, digitally adaptive, and genuinely inclusive. This holistic perspective is essential to cultivating a workforce capable of driving sustainability, equity, and innovation in the 21st century
TRAINING SIMULATION SOFTWARE FOR CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER PLANTS
No full textThis thesis discusses the development of the interface for a dynamic training simulator for operators of a concentrated solar power plant. Efforts were made to replicate the operator work environment through the use of a custom user interface. User interfaces in the field of concentrated solar power plants are examined, and several suggestions of best practices are included in the thesis. These best practices were designed according to human factors principles. An interface design toolkit is included with this work, which enables administrators of the operating training software to implement new interface screens in the simulator.
Additionally, this work discusses various training scenarios that operators of a concen- trated solar power plant are expected to be familiar with in order to gain an understanding of the principles of power production and avoid faults. These scenarios include common operations procedures, as well as upset conditions derived from a failure modes and analysis study conducted with a partner power plant
Breathing Life Into The Historical US Census Using Modern GIS
No full textSeventy-two years after the U.S. decennial census is taken it is released publicly, in its entirety. Persons’ names, addresses of residence, places of birth, languages spoken, and professions are disclosed, among other attributes. Student researchers at UW-Stevens Point used modern day Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to digitize the historical census. The process took historical addresses and placed them on the modern-day map – a process repeatable anywhere in the United States. The geographical techniques revealed immigration and settlement patterns in Stevens Point, WI. Further, it revealed a rich, immersive, location-based genealogic story of Stevens Point and its historical residents