5257 research outputs found
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Extended (Re)Producer Responsibility: Child Support, Demographics, and Global Sustainability
Full text linkChild support laws are common among most contemporary societies, yet correlational research on the demographic effects of child support remains sparse. Using a variety of nonparametric statistical tests, this dissertation compares the child support policies of 91 nations against 30 social, economic, health, and environmental variables from global public datasets. Mann-Whitney and median tests reveal that nations with robust child support systems—equipped with a high number of enforcement mechanisms, a designated administrative agency, and/or a public child support assurance program—are associated with lower unintended pregnancy and abortion rates, lower infant and maternal mortality rates, and better gender equality indicators. While Kendall’s tau b tests signal that nations with robust child support systems tend to produce more air, land, and water pollution per capita, linear regression models suggest these nations are more likely to be reducing greenhouse gas emissions over time and are experiencing slower population growth than those with weaker child support laws. The analysis concludes that child support is closely linked to social welfare and gender equality, and that it may function as an economic degrowth policy akin to extended producer responsibility in the manufacturing sector
What relationship does social media have to political participation and voting behavior in adults aged 18-25 in the state of Kansas?
Full text linkDuring the past two decades, the rise of social media has a significantly impacted the lives many individuals in the United States. This is particularly true of young adults between the ages of 18-25 years old. The rapid growth of various social media platforms has given rise to the sharing and exchange of information and ideas in a way that has not previously existed.
This qualitative research study used survey questionnaires, as well as semi-structured interviews to explore both the positive and negative impact, as well as the role of social media when it comes to influencing political affiliation, behavior, and participation, in the state of Kansas among adults 18-25 years of age. This review also highlights which specific social media platforms are used the most and explores the role and influence of the information found, and political socialization from social media, family and peer influence from varying gender, educational, and economic backgrounds. The findings conclude that social media does have an influential role on young adults ages 18-25 who reside in the state of Kansas when it comes to finding political information & the exchange of ideas, as well as their political affiliation, behavior, and voting choices. This study will add to the body of knowledge by providing a specific look into a group of young adults in Kansas and how their personal experience with politics and social media is trending and aligning with studies that have been previously conducted on a broader scale with young adults nationally, throughout the United States
Barbie in the Media: The Transmedia Presence of Mattel’s Celebrity Doll
No full textWhat is the significance of Barbie’s journey from toy aisles to screens? Barbie in the Media offers a groundbreaking exploration of Barbie as a transmedia phenomenon. In examining the brand’s multifaceted media presence, this volume’s chapters consider both Mattel’s corporate storytelling about and fans’ reinterpretations of the iconic doll. Collectively, they reveal that these mediated negotiations of Barbie reflect and contribute to broader discourses about gender and identity in evolving sociopolitical contexts—inscribing the doll with ever-changing (and often conflicting) anxieties and dreams. These render the brand’s media presence a fascinating site of contested meaning, worthy of the sustained critique that Barbie in the Media offers readers.https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/engfaculty_books/1006/thumbnail.jp
Exploring Macro- and Microplastic Pollution in Southeastern Pennsylvania Ecosystems
Full text linkPlastics have become a ubiquitous pollutant due to their increasing production worldwide. Current recycling infrastructure is inadequate, causing most plastics to end up in landfills or the environment, where they can take decades to break down and release additional pollutants in the process. To combat plastic pollution, nearly thirty municipalities in southeastern Pennsylvania have enacted single-use plastic (SUP) bans. We sampled anthropogenic litter from nine stream sites within municipalities with three different SUP ban statuses for seven sampling rounds roughly one month apart. We found that riparian areas within active SUP bans had more SUPs and other plastic items than those with no SUP bans. These results suggest that municipal-scale SUP bans alone are not effective to reduce plastic pollution in the short-term, and additional mitigation strategies should be explored.
Additionally, microplastics (MPs) are produced via the degradation of larger plastics. MPs present threats to organisms, including familiar passerine species, but how species differ in their MP exposure is not yet understood. I collected fecal samples from five species of varying diets and foraging strategies and quantified MPs present by count and density. I found feces of birds with ground foraging strategies contained more MPs than birds with mixed foraging strategies, suggesting MP exposure is related to how birds forage. The proportions of MP shapes in feces differed between diet types, suggesting that birds’ prey also influence their exposure to MPs. Future studies should account for effects traits like diet and foraging strategy on MP exposure for target species
Success at a Price / Women of Color Students at A White University
No full textAn examination of the American college campus experience for women of color
What invisible barriers do Black and other self-identifying women of color students face while thriving on a college campus that excludes them? How do these experiences challenge and transform meanings of diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially as they relate to student success?In this three-year ethnographic study of women of color undergraduate students, Lisa C. Huebner, Samantha Jeune, and Odette Kolenky found that while thriving, women of color students suffered what they describe as “a daily normal” of harassment and erasure. At the same time, however, they excelled, often graduating with many academic and cocurricular achievements.Celebrated by the university as successful students but also ignored by it, they felt alone, deceived, and exploited by the very university system that was dedicated to helping them. This book offers a rare glimpse into the successes we take for granted. Centering the voices of women of color students, this book offers a new story of how successful women of color overcome barriers no one else seems to see and, through their experiences and insights, offers recommendations to all of us who care about diversity, equity, and inclusion.https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/cahfaculty_books/1037/thumbnail.jp
Culling Curiosity: An Examination of the Tensions Between Capitalist Education and the Development of Critical Thought
Full text linkTrue education must stem from curiosity, strengthening the initial impulse into a more robust and methodological approach, but schooling in the United States stunts curiosity. As social institutions, schools are shaped by the economic system of the society in which they exist in such a way as to reinforce the economic system. In a capitalist society, schools reinforce capitalism by conditioning students to transition seamlessly into adult life as workers. Neoliberal ideology and policies have strengthened the influence of capitalism within schools by shaping pedagogical choices and material conditions. These issues are systemic and must be addressed as such. Organizations such as the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST) and Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) have used prefigurative politics and teacher union power to address systemic issues with success
Bryoandersonia illecebra (Spoon-leaved Moss)
No full textBryoandersonia illecebra (Spoon-leaved Moss)
3/11/2019
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Brachytheciaceae Notes
Common Names: Spoon-leaved Moss; Worm Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2019; 2020; 2022
Identified and First Noted By: Spencer Ruston
Also Noted By: Nur Ritter; kojo1019 (iNaturalist)https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/gna_bps_bry/1038/thumbnail.jp
Amblystegiaceae Indet. #1. (No Common Name)
No full textAmblystegiaceae Indet. #1. (No Common Name)
5/7/2020
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Amblystegiaceae Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Year Noted: 2020
Identified By: Carlos J. Pasiche Lisboa (iNaturalist)
First Noted By: Nur Ritterhttps://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/gna_bps_bry/1026/thumbnail.jp
Frullania eboracensis (New York Scalewort)
No full textFrullania eboracensis (New York Scalewort)
1/13/20
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Liverworts
Family: Jubulaceae Notes
Common Names: New York Scalewort; Common Scalewort
Years Noted: 2017; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Identified and First Noted By: Nur Ritter
Also Noted By: Noah Long; Maeve Dowd
Comments: Seemingly, the most common leafy liverwort at the Gordon. Observed growing on the bark of Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), White Ash (Fraxinus americana), Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and Red Maple (Acer rubrum).https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/gna_bps_bry/1018/thumbnail.jp
Lophocolea heterophylla (Variable-leaved Crestwort)
No full textLophocolea heterophylla (Variable-leaved Crestwort)
2/15/19
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Liverworts
Family: Geocalycaceae Notes
Common Name: Variable-leaved Crestwort
Years Noted: 2007; 2009; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Identified and First Noted By: Spencer Ruston
Also Noted By: Cindy Law; Nur Ritter; Paige Vermeulen; Kathryn Krueger
Comments: Quite common at the GNA. This species and Frullania eboracensis are the two most commonly encountered Liverworts at the GNA.https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/gna_bps_bry/1009/thumbnail.jp