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Magkita Tayo Doon, Let’s Meet up There: An Ethnography on “Little Manila Avenue” in Woodside, Queens, New York City
No full textHow are ethnic diasporic identities formed in host countries? How does a multiethnic setting impact diasporic identity formation? Through an analysis of “Little Manila Avenue” in Woodside, Queens, this ethnography explores how Filipinos on Little Manila Avenue manifest and enable transnational connections to the Philippines and to other members of the Filipino diaspora. It contextualizes the material culture, intangible culture, and Filipino language use that are specific to the avenue within the practices of the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora by drawing from fieldwork conducted in October 2023 and the author’s personal visits to Woodside as a Filipina-American. Guided by studies on Filipino-American communities, elements of material culture on the avenue were identified to explore the intangible Filipino diasporic practices that they index. Contextualizing Filipino products, cuisine, Christmas parols, boxes, signages, and public installations within wider Filipino diasporic practices revealed how Little Manila Avenue preserves the Filipino traditions of balikbayan, bayanihan, four month Christmas preparations, and ethnic kin networks. At the same time, it notes how those practices are shaped by historical and contemporary multiethnic encounters that occur within Philippine history and the 21st century setting of a multiethnic New York City urban streetscape. This study opens several paths to further research on urban interethnic relations, racial hierarchies, ethnic entrepreneurship, activism, and identity formation, making it a launchpad for further exploring Filipinos in New York City, other nodes of the Filipino diaspora, and urban interethnic interactions. At the same time that it opens opportunities for further research, it contributes to improving representation in Filipino American scholarship that is highly concentrated in Filipino communities on the West Coast
A Grounded Theory Study of Grieving Among Asian Immigrant Women in the U.S. During the Covid Pandemic
No full textThe purpose of this study was to explore the grieving experiences of Asian immigrant women in the U.S. who lost their family member(s) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants eligible for the study were Asian women currently living in the U.S. who had an ethnic origin in an Asian country, first-generation immigrants with legal immigration status, speak English as a second language, and have experienced the death of a family member during the pandemic. Twelve Asian immigrant women whose ages ranged from 20 to 48 completed a demographic questionnaire and participated in an in-depth, semi-structured interview. Based on grounded theory methodology, the interviews were audio and video-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to develop a theoretical framework for these bereaved Asian immigrant women’s grieving experiences in the context of COVID-19. Data analysis yielded 11 selective categories, 22 axial categories, and 47 open categories. The 11 selective categories were (1) relationship, (2) various reactions to the loss, (3) culture-specific behaviors, (4) individual coping, (5) coping with social support, (6) intrapersonal level, (7) interpersonal level, (8) community level, (9) societal level, (10) culturally tuned resources, and (11) culturally sensitive support. Discussion of findings and clinical implications for bereaved Asian immigrant women in the COVID era were provided. Also, the limitations of the present study and recommendations for future research were discussed
The Dark Side of Power: Shortcomings of America’s Energy Grid and How to Fix Them
No full textThis paper examines the current state of the United States’ electric grid and how constantly increasing energy demand requires an overhaul of the current system into one that is more interconnected, sustainable, and resilient. Chapter One uses quantitative data to explain the current problems with the United States’ energy production, distribution, and usage. Chapter Two discusses the history of the electric grid and how consistently increasing energy demands have led to rapid innovation and expansion. This chapter will discuss changes the American energy industry over time and how key takeaways can be applied to proposed future advancements. Chapter Three addresses the economics surrounding the current state of the energy grid, including an analysis of current United States energy market structures and externality valuation techniques. It also includes an evaluation of the economic benefits of grid infrastructure advancement. Chapter Four focuses on the political background of changes to energy policy, including how politics have helped usher in energy transitions of the past. This chapter also includes discussion about the intersection of international politics and domestic energy production. In Chapter Five, the paper focuses on policy recommendations to encourage renewable energy expansion and to change the landscape of the United States’ electric grid. Some of these suggestions include adopting Standard Market Design and rethinking federal energy jurisdiction to streamline essential grid infrastructure advancement projects
Greening Urban Spaces: Harnessing Houseplants to Reclaim Ecosystem Services
No full textThis paper addresses how there is a lack of green spaces and access to nature within big cities, and thus, we lose the ecosystem services provided naturally by plants, such as clean air and mental well-being. By filling an interior space with houseplants, some of these ecosystem services can be brought and utilized indoors. Chapter one describes the benefits of plant ecosystem services on human life and how human alteration, such as urbanization and the creation of large cities, diminishes the availability and accessibility of these natural systems. Chapter two examines the environmental history of human relationships with plants. For centuries, humans have connected with and used plants as a form of livelihood, and thus, many people even view plants as fellow living beings. The access to many of these natural ecosystem services plants provide has been lost due to human alterations over time. Chapter three discusses environmental health and psychology and how plants positively alter mental health, such as the benefits of stress relief, aesthetics, and leisure. This chapter also delves into plants’ effects on human health, such as the benefits of growing one’s own food, plants as medicine, the impact plants make on indoor and outdoor environments like air quality, and how these services can be recreated indoors. Chapter four introduces environmental design and architecture and how plant aesthetics can go beyond basic design so plants can become fully integrated into our lives. Finally, chapter five proposes initiatives that act upon the accessibility and awareness of these disciplines. It addresses solutions such as increased accessibility and availability to houseplants, along with solutions for design like rooftop/community gardens and long-term resolutions related to education
An Anthropogenic Mass Extinction: Speculation about the Future of Humanity and Other Species
No full textThis thesis will address the possibility of a sixth mass extinction at the hands of humanity and the adaptations ecosystems may undertake in recovery. Today, the world is witnessing incredibly fast changes in climate conditions that are causing severe biodiversity loss. Haiti is a region that encompasses the impacts of both environmental degradation and humanity’s social influences on the environment. Haiti will be examined throughout this thesis to provide an understanding of how climate change impacts people and the natural world today. Non-anthropogenic rapid climate change is the root of most past mass extinctions. However, after these events, ecosystems have recovered, and the niches of lost species have been filled, giving way to new environmental makeups. The first chapter will examine qualitative and quantitative data that suggests a coming mass extinction with the effects of human society’s habits on the natural world and how this is characteristic of a mass extinction event. The current and speculative future rates of extinction will be examined along with the adaptations of wildlife today in a world dominated by humans. The second chapter will use a historical lens to focus on the five past global mass extinctions, considering the causes and aftermaths of these events. The fall of past human civilizations due to environmental degradation and the history of the Anthropocene will be examined. The third chapter will use evolutionary biology and sociology disciplines to examine the speculation of a society and an Earth in the case of anthropogenic mass extinction, contextualized by accelerating climate change. Future changes in evolution and ecosystems due to human activity will be discussed to gain perspective on how extreme human impacts are on nature. Speculation of societies, infrastructures, and more will also be addressed through the effects of climate change. The fourth chapter will discuss political aspects and contemporary governments\u27 measures to avoid mass extinction under modern environmental conditions. The fifth chapter will recommend a policy prioritizing endangered plant and animal species conservation, conservation, and environmental education. Countries that are currently in climate crises will also be prioritized. At the same time, the use of gas, oil, plastics, and more damaging habits will transition into sustainable practices that can support humanity and the living environment
Wildlife Conservation in East Africa: The Politics of Wildlife Conservation in Kenya and Tanzania: A Legacy of Western Influence
No full textThis thesis examines the evolution of wildlife conservation policies in Kenya and Tanzania, underlying the profound impact of neocolonial and colonial influences. It advocates for reformed, decentralized conservation strategies that incorporate indigenous knowledge and participation. Analyzing the key works of Akama and Gissibl, the study highlights the legacy of Western conservation practices in contemporary East African conservation strategies. Case studies such as Save the Elephants and Ill Ngwesi illustrate the effectiveness of community-based conservation models. The thesis ultimately argues for a shift to local, community-based, and driven conservation efforts to benefit indigenous communities and sustainable wildlife conservation
Predicting Risk of Violent Misconduct in Juvenile Detention: Polyvictimization Latent Classes and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
No full textSecure juvenile detention settings are marked by high rates of violence (i.e., violent misconduct), which pose physical and psychological safety concerns for youth and staff. However, little is known about who is at greatest risk of engaging in violence, and which factors contribute to rates of violent misconduct while detained. Given the frequency of trauma exposure among detained adolescents, the current study utilized latent class analysis (LCA) to characterize adolescents in pre-adjudication secure juvenile detention (N = 1,172) who were at risk of violent misconduct based on their patterns of lifetime traumatic events (TEs) and current posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) identified at intake. Results support identification of three distinct classes of detained adolescents, with two polyvictimized (PV) subtypes and one subtype with relatively low TE exposure. The two PV subtypes were differentiated by primarily community violence (PV/CV; 38.9%) versus primarily interpersonal violence (PV/IV; 6.9%). There were significant differences in sex, age, and race/ethnicity, but not delinquency history, across latent class membership. Three-step manual BCH negative binomial regression followed by a weighted multicategorical mediation analysis were conducted to examine the association between class membership and violent misconduct. There was no direct effect of class membership on violent misconduct. However, there was a significant indirect effect of class membership on violent misconduct via PTSD total symptom severity and Criterion E (hyperarousal/reactivity) symptom severity only for the PV/CV class relative to the Low class. Findings suggest that LCA is an effective analytic technique to classify adolescents in secure juvenile detention based on their trauma screening data. Specifically, adolescents with multiple community violence TEs who exhibit significant hyperarousal/reactivity may confer the greatest risk of violent misconduct while detained. Results reinforce the use of an efficient, subtype-informed approach to triage adolescents at intake to appropriate assessment and treatment aimed at reducing PTSS and violent misconduct. Overall, the results support novel pathways to contextualize the risk of violence in secure juvenile detention to improve safety for both youth and staff
Servant Leadership and Teacher Accompaniment in Salesian Colleges: Role of Affective Commitment
No full textThis doctoral dissertation delves into the intricate relationships among servant leadership, teachers’ affective commitment, and teacher accompaniment within the distinctive context of Salesian colleges in India. The study aims to advance the comprehension of effective leadership within higher education and to gain deeper insights into the dynamic between educators and learners. The study underlines the significance of servant leadership principles in educational leadership and advocates for their incorporation into organizational practices. Moreover, it highlights the pivotal role of affective commitment and teacher accompaniment in promoting employee retention and cultivating a positive work environment.The study’s first research question examined the impact of servant leadership on teachers’ affective commitment, revealing a significant positive relationship between the two. The second research question investigated the influence of servant leadership on teacher accompaniment, finding a significant positive impact. The third research question explored the link between teachers’ affective commitment and teacher accompaniment, revealing a modest but statistically significant correlation. The fourth research question investigated whether teachers’ affective commitment mediated the relationship between servant leadership and teacher accompaniment, with the study concluding that it did not.Recommendations for future research encompass cross-cultural examinations of servant leadership, further exploration of the lived experiences of educators and students, and the adoption of case study methodologies to delve deeper into the factors influencing affective commitment and teacher accompaniment. This study offers invaluable insights for both the academic community and educational practitioners
Principals’ Transformational Leadership and School Climate in a Rural Community
No full textSchool improvement and accountability pressures heightened at the turn of the 21st century, with the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002 and with the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015. These actions spurred research to facilitate school improvement and meet state standards. Researchers identified a strong correlation between a positive school climate and improved student outcomes, prompting inquiries into leadership styles conducive to fostering such climates. Numerous studies explored the relationship between principal leadership and school climate, focusing on transformational leadership as a potential driver of positive change.This study explored how five transformational leadership components relate to six school climate dimensions in rural elementary schools. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5x) gauged faculty and staff perceptions of principal transformational leadership characteristics, including idealized attributes, idealized behaviors, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, and inspirational motivation. Additionally, the Organizational Climate Description for Elementary Schools (OCDQ-RE) assessed faculty and staff perceptions of the school climate. Data were collected from elementary school faculty in a rural school district in Central New York, where multiple schools are on the state’s accountability watch list. The study used regression analysis to explore the relationship between transformational leadership components and school climate dimensions in this less-studied rural setting
Aggression in Older Adults With Dementia: The Impact on Caregivers
No full textDementia is a long-term, degenerative disease marked by significant impairment and substantial care needs which often fall onto family or friend caregivers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between agitated or aggressive behaviors of persons with dementia (the care recipient) and care partner (family members, friends, or neighbors, who provide unpaid care) abusive behaviors in a community sample of dementia care partners. Three hundred seventy nine unpaid family members or friends who are primary care partners to a person with dementia completed measures of care recipient behaviors, care partner abusive behaviors, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Several significant variables related to care partners abusive behaviors were identified (e.g., care partner age, having a majority caregiving responsibility, care partner depression levels). Results indicate that, even after controlling for covariates, there is a significant relationship between aggressive and agitated behaviors in care recipients and abusive behaviors perpetrated by their care partners