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Understanding the Challenges Faced by Afghan Refugees Resettling in California's Central Valley
No full textThis research study explores the challenges and adversities that Afghan refugees experience throughout their resettlement to California's Central Valley, while also considering the impact of their cultural resilience and willingness to thrive. This study utilized a qualitative approach through key informant semi-structed interviews. Six participants were interviewed for this study, all of whom are Afghan refugees who have resettled to California's Central Valley within the past 2 years. Thematic analysis was employed to identify, interpret, and categorize significant themes from the interview data. The following themes were identified: challenges of resettlement and adjustment; systemic gaps and barriers for refugees; economic struggles and employment issues; education and skill development; access to services, resources, and support; importance of community and interconnectedness; and motivation and hope for future – self, children, and future generations. The results show that Afghan refugees face various cultural and systemic barriers as they adjust to life in a new country, and that they require further support to not only become self-sufficient but thrive in their new environment. Their resiliency, emphasis on community support, and hopes for the future help guide them through the resettlement process and overcome these challenges. However, the participants provide suggestions and proposals for resettlement agencies and the federal, state, and local governments to further facilitate the resettlement process for future refugees.https://doi.org/10.46569/0k225n37
Discovering genes associated with multigenerational acclimation to variable temperature and salinity in Daphnia pulex
No full textDaily variation of temperature and salinity affects an organism's metabolic rate, generation time, development, survival rate, and tolerance levels (e.g., toxic metals, salinity, temperature). Daphnia pulex showed a reduced metabolic rate in response to extreme temperature variability and intermediate temperature with varying salinity. Tolerance to temperature and salinity increased with acclimation to lower temperatures and salinity, but decreased at extreme temperature and salinity treatments, especially at high acclimation temperatures and salinities, suggesting cross-susceptibility. Differences in gene expression among the biological model species, experiencing daily variation to temperature and salinity is unknown. To determine whether there are differences, I used bioinformatic tools to analyze a RNAseq data set taken from D. pulex that were subjected to water treatments of variable temperature and salinity. This study highlights the critical role of both long-term acclimation and short-term stress exposure in shaping the gene expression profiles of D. pulex, offering important insights into the organism's adaptive responses to fluctuating temperature and salinity conditions, and emphasizing the potential impacts of climate change on freshwater ecosystems.https://doi.org/10.46569/w6634d22
Reconceptualizing Divine Omnipotence: A Decolonial Interpretation of Process Theology
No full textThis thesis offers a decolonial interpretation of divine omnipotence based on Anibal Quijano's work on the coloniality of power. I intend to bridge the potential gaps between socio-political philosophy, the philosophy of religion, and decolonial theory, by drawing parallels between how we conceptualize the characteristics of God and the features of coloniality. I begin the paper by outlining Quijano's framework on the coloniality of power, the colonial matrix of power, and his decoloniality of power. I continue by problematizing the classical theistic conception of God and divine omnipotence as perpetuating colonial standards. Then, I encourage the need for a decolonial reconceptualization of divine omnipotence using historical examples of colonization and Christianization. The second half of the paper focuses on a direct application of Quijano's decolonial approach using process theology. I start with a summary of process metaphysics to describe God's relation to the world and follow with an explanation of the process theological conception of God and divine omnipotence. This section ends with an in-depth argument about how the conception of divine omnipotence within process theology can be interpreted as a decolonial reconceptualization. The paper concludes by reiterating the significance of this interpretation in the development of a decoloniality of power and broader form of decolonization.https://doi.org/10.46569/f4752s50
Flexible Participation: Faculty Motivations and Barriers for Adoption of HyFlex Learning Mode
No full textThe adoption of HyFlex learning, which allows students to choose between in-person, synchronous online, and/or asynchronous online participation offered simultaneously in the same course, has gained traction in higher education, particularly in the postpandemic era. The current study explored faculty motivations and barriers to adopting HyFlex learning in the California Community College (CCC) system. Given the increasing demand for online learning options and the need to sustain in-person options, institutions must navigate enrollment management challenges while ensuring equitable access for diverse student populations. Through qualitative interviews with 12 CCC faculty, the current study examined factors influencing faculty decisions regarding learning mode and HyFlex adoption, including perceived benefits and challenges. The study applied Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecological systems theory to analyze the interconnected influences on faculty adoption, highlighting the need for systemic changes, such as systemwide definitions and distinct coding, professional development, technological infrastructure, and institutional incentives. Findings revealed although faculty acknowledged HyFlex's potential to enhance accessibility and retention, concerns about workload, student engagement, training, and technology logistics remained significant barriers. The study's recommendations emphasize stronger faculty and student support, including clearer descriptions and expectations in the registration process, expanded faculty training and mentorship programs, improved technological infrastructure, and formal recognition of HyFlex in education code with distinct coding for tracking student outcomes. By addressing faculty concerns and institutional barriers, the current study contributed to ongoing efforts to expand flexible learning opportunities in community colleges, promoting equity and student success.https://doi.org/10.46569/2r36v719
Threat Perception, Norm Diffusion, and LGBT Rights in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
No full textThis thesis examines how national identity and perceived threats shape the reception and treatment of sexual minorities in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Drawing on Phillip Ayoub's theory of norm diffusion and threat perception, it argues that responses to international LGBT rights norms are filtered through culturally and politically embedded narratives of nationhood. While both countries share a Soviet legacy and majority Muslim populations, their post-independence trajectories vary significantly, leading to different levels of LGBT visibility and repression. Using a qualitative comparative case study approach, the research analyzes legal codes, human rights reports, policy documents, and NGO publications to assess how factors such as regime type, religious influence, and international engagement interact with national identity to shape how states respond to norm diffusion. The findings show that Kyrgyzstan's semi-democratic institutions, tolerance of international actors, and less centralized use of religion allow for limited LGBT advocacy and partial legal tolerance. In contrast, Uzbekistan's authoritarian regime, institutionalized Islamic morality, and securitized national identity produce systematic repression, including the criminalization of same-sex activity between men and persecution of LGBT individuals. The thesis finds that legal reform or economic growth alone are unable to guarantee protections for sexual minorities. Instead, the perception of LGBT rights as national identity threats plays a decisive role in determining state responses. By positioning Central Asia within conversations in queer international relations and norm diffusion theory, this project contributes to the understanding of how identity politics shape global human rights implementation.https://doi.org/10.46569/br86bc92
Write it Down, Pray it Down
No full textThis book is a personal journey through trauma, self-discovery, and healing. It is rooted in journaled reflections, lived experiences, and spiritual restoration. From the quiet battles of childhood to the loud inner wars of young adulthood, the author opens up about the complexities of depression, body image, grief, and growth. Each chapter offers raw honesty, and hope-woven with moments of prayer, affirmations and the power of community. More than a memoir, this book is a love letter to the little girl within, and a message to the hurting. It is a reminder that healing is possible when we surrender to the process. May you as the reader be blessed and healed.https://doi.org/10.46569/76537b07
Assessment of Fluvial Geomorphic Change in a Restored Meadowusing UAV-SfM Photogrammetry
No full textChannel incision in montane meadow streams, exacerbated by land use practices and the historical decline of the North American beaver (Castor canadensis), leads to stream disconnection from floodplains, lowered groundwater tables, and reduced summer base flows. To address these issues, a process-based restoration project utilizing beaver dam analogs (BDAs) was implemented on Dixie Creek within Red Clover Valley, California, aiming to raise streambed elevations through sediment deposition and improve meadow wetland conditions. This project focuses on Dixie Creek, a perennial stream restored with BDAs designed to mimic natural beaver dams by slowing stream flow, encouraging sediment deposition, and raising surface water elevations thereby fostering wetland conditions, enhancing riparian vegetation, boosting biodiversity, and increasing ecosystem resilience to wildfire. This project monitored the impacts of the BDA restoration on Dixie Creek from 2020 to 2024. To achieve this, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry were employed to produce true color and multispectral orthoimagery and digital terrain models (DTMs) from 2020 to 2024. DEMs of Difference (DoDs) thresholded at a minimum level of detection (minLoD) of ± 0.60 m were generated to capture elevation change signals. Annual elevation changes and net elevation change for the study period (2020 to 2024) were calculated to detect stream erosion and sediment deposition. The results indicate net surface lowering (erosion) occurred in Dixie Creek from 2020 to 2024, with bank erosion being the dominant process, often accelerated by the redirection of stream power at several BDA locations. While the high spatial resolution of SfM elevation models effectively captured bank erosion, detecting sediment deposition proved challenging due to dense riparian vegetation and perennial surface water. This research demonstrates the potential of UAV-SfM for monitoring geomorphic changes in restored meadows, while also highlighting limitations in accurately measuring deposition and the complexities introduced by disturbances such as wildfire. These findings contribute to understanding the geomorphic responses to BDA implementation, providing insights for future restoration monitoring and maintenance strategies.https://doi.org/10.46569/5712mh10
Clash of Class: Social Class Discrimination and Mental Health Outcomes Among Adolescents
No full textSocial class is a critical determinant of adolescent mental health. Adolescents disadvantaged in social class experience worsened mental health. While substantial research has examined the impact of social class on adolescent mental health, limited attention has been given to the role of social class discrimination. Social class discrimination refers to the bias individuals experience due to their social class. To address this gap, the current study investigated the associations between social class discrimination and two key mental health outcomes: depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Additionally, the study explored whether these associations varied by social class, gender, and race/ethnicity. Participants included 1,678 adolescents aged between 13-18 years old (Mage = 15.97, SDage = 1.23). Data were collected from two public high schools in California in 2022. Social class discrimination was measured via an adapted scale. Two-block hierarchical regression analysis showed that social class discrimination was positively associated with depressive symptoms and negatively associated with self-esteem among adolescents. These associations remained significant even after controlling for social class, gender, age, school, and race/ethnicity. Furthermore, race/ethnicity moderated the relationship between social class discrimination and both mental health outcomes. Specifically, the associations were stronger for European American/White adolescents than for Asian American adolescents. These findings underscore the importance of addressing social class discrimination as a risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes in adolescents and suggest the need for targeted interventions that consider the intersecting identities.https://doi.org/10.46569/g445cp96
Effects of interspecific competition on turkey vulture foraging selection
No full textThe Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) has a highly developed sense of smell, which allows it to find carrion before most other avian scavengers. This leads to many scavenging birds following them to foraging sites, where C.aura risks being usurped from its prey. Scavenging is subject to highly random success, and the loss of prey can be energetically costly. However, many vulture species benefit from scavenging in groups, as they share the locations of carrion to one another through visual cues and secure prey for themselves. This study examined how C. aura responds to the presence of competitors at potential foraging sites, based on the average hourly count of C. aura and the percentage of time they are present at sites. These factors were compared to those of common competitors of C. aura including the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), corvids (Corvus spp.), gulls (Larus spp.), and hawks in the family Accipitridae. Results of this study indicate that C. aura spends more time in greater numbers at sites where C. atratus is also present, while avoiding sites where corvids are present. Other scavengers, such as gulls and hawks had no significant effect on the presence of C. aura at sites, likely due to niche partitioning. The results of this study indicate that C. aura benefits from social foraging similarly to other vultures, but avoid territorial species, such as those in genus Corvus. This supports the potential for Allee effects as a contributing factor in C. aura foraging strategies, with higher densities increasing site favorability
An Adaptive and Unsupervised Graph-Based Approach for Fake News Detection
No full textIn this study, we propose an adaptive and unsupervised graph-based model for fake news detection, leveraging a GraphSAGE Autoencoder to analyze heterogeneous graph data. Traditional fake news detection methods primarily depend on labeled datasets and textual analysis, often overlooking the complex relationships between news articles, entities, and topics. This limitation makes them less effective in capturing the evolving nature of misinformation spread across digital platforms. To address these challenges, our model constructs a Heterogeneous Subgraph, representing intricate interconnections between news elements. By integrating adaptive data augmentation techniques, such as node feature masking and edge dropping, we enhance the model's robustness and generalization to unseen data. Additionally, SAGEConv layers are employed within a contrastive learning framework to refine node embeddings, allowing for a more nuanced classification of misinformation. Our approach is extensively evaluated on two widely used fake news datasets-LIAR and PolitiFact-demonstrating significant improvements over existing state-of-the-art methods. The results show that our model achieves higher accuracy and robustness compared to traditional supervised and unsupervised techniques. By eliminating reliance on manual labeling and incorporating dynamic learning mechanisms, this framework provides a scalable and efficient solution for misinformation detection in rapidly evolving digital environments